Pharmaceuticals are recognized as newly emerging pollutants and have recently gained more attention on their effects in aquatic environment. Pharmaceuticals include a hundreds of compounds which differ by their physico–chemical properties and environmental behaviour. Most of these compounds are water soluble and non-volatile, others are polar and less adsorbable, while some others are lipophilic and show a certain tendency to bioaccumulation and adsorption on suspended sediments. Increased analytical capabilities in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry revealed that discharged pharmaceutical can easily undergo transformation in aquatic systems resulting in different molecules with contrasting effects to the ecosystem elements. Nevertheless the extent of this problem, the transport and fate of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment remains poorly understood.

Estuarine systems, being situated between land and marine environments, are likely important sites for pharmaceutical attenuation due to high input loads and biogeochemical activity. In shallow estuarine systems, sediments are frequently resuspended, therefore they act as an effective absorber and carrier for such contaminants, thereby affecting their long-term fate and toxicity. However, it remains unclear how pharmaceutical can effect biogeochemical processes within sediments. The aim of present PhD project is to determine transport and fate of pharmaceuticals along river-lagoon-sea continuum combining analytical, biogeochemical and mass calculations. It will reveal the extent of pharmaceutical pollution in the aquatic environment and putative effects on different ecosystem components. The project, in particularly, interests in how pollution by pharmaceuticals affect biogeochemical processes such as nitrification and denitrification which are important in mitigating eutrophication in the coastal lagoons. Finally, project is seeking to develop a simple bioassay for fast, reliable identification and quantification assessment of pharmaceuticals in estuarine samples.

Supervisor: Dr. Reda Kubiliute (e-mail:  reda.kubiliute@apc.ku.lt )

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Benefits

For details, please follow this link: https://www.ku.lt/studies/english-degree-studies/application-procedure/a…

Contact e-mail:  reda.kubiliute@apc.ku.lt

Eligibility criteria

Admission rules and criteria

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Important dates

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Selection process

List of documents for application

https://www.ku.lt/studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2019/07/LIST-OF-DO…

Submission of application

https://www.ku.lt/studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2019/07/SUBMISSION…

Additional comments

Marine Research Institute operates the cutting-edge of analytical and experimental facilities that serves for observational and experimental research from the gene to the ecosystem level in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The existing collaboration among Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Parma, Poland and Stockholm Universities will provide access to unique infrastructure needed for achieving specific tasks

The application procedure shall be concluded until 16th September, 2019. The monthly stipend in the amount of 750-820 Eur/month shall be paid until the end of the PhD studies (4 years PhD studies, from October 2019 till October 2023).

For further information, please contact: Reda Kubiliute, e-mail:  reda.kubiliute@apc.ku.lt

Offer Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL

  • Chemistry: Master Degree or equivalent
  • Biological sciences: Master Degree or equivalent
  • Environmental science: Master Degree or equivalent
  • Pharmacological sciences: Master Degree or equivalent

REQUIRED LANGUAGES

  • ENGLISH: Good

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for motivated student who holds master’s degree in a relevant field (ecology and environmental research, biogeochemistry, biology, geochemistry, chemistry, pharmacological  or natural sciences). Applicant should have the interest and ability to learn new research methods as needed for attaining the tasks, should be able to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team; hence good communication skills are important. Good English language skills are necessary. Working experience in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry brings advantages.

PhD student will join to the young, leading “Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems Functioning” research group, which conducted number of studies targeting nutrient and gas cycling, mediated by macrofauna, micro- and macroalgae as well as solute transport along river-lagoon-sea continuum. Therefore, the excellence of group relies on a combination of technical and scientific know-how. The scientists from the group are continuously involved in development and application of novel tools for biogeochemical processes analysis. The group is building an international research network that consolidates interactions among scientists from different countries (Italy, Sweden, Germany, Poland, France, Denmark, USA and etc.). The thesis will be carried through the collaboration with GGF project (INBALANCE, 2017–2021) and national and EPA projects.

Specific Requirements

Scientific publications in fields relevant to the job description