FUNDED PH.D. STUDENTSHIP
Emerging organic contaminants arising in rural environments: investigations in
karst and fractured bedrock aquifers
The aim of this project is to investigate the occurrence of synthetic organic compounds arising
from rural activities in Irish karst and fractured bedrock aquifers. The primary focus will be on
the loss to groundwater of veterinary drugs used in Irish agriculture, particularly anti-parasitic
drugs including anthelmintics, coccidiostats and pyrethroids, which represent the most widely
use veterinary drugs in Irish agricultural production. The project will investigate the frequency
of occurrence of different compounds and the relationship to their chemical characteristics. It
will aim to determine both source factors (e.g. animal waste storage, landspreading, grazing
and feeding locations) and pathway factors (e.g. characteristics of soil, Quaternary deposits and
bedrock) involved in contaminant detections. This is a joint project between Trinity College
Dublin and Teagasc through the Walsh Fellowship Scheme and it forms part of the
Groundwater Spoke of the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG)
(http://icrag-centre.org/). The iCRAG Centre is funded under the SFI Research Centres
Programme and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund together with
industry partners.
Requirements: Applicants should have a good primary degree (II1 or I) or M.Sc. in an
appropriate discipline (Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science,
Earth Science, Hydrogeology etc.). Chemical analytical experience is essential and experience
with liquid chromatography would be a considerable advantage. A full EU driving licence is
required.
Starting date and funding: The project will start in September 2015. The funding is for a four
year structured Ph.D. project, to be completed by end of August 2019. The project is open to
EU students only (students who have been resident for 3 out of the last 5 years in the EU) and
includes fees and a tax-free stipend of €18,000 per annum. Final appointment of the
successful candidate is dependent on funding being finalised.
Location and supervision: The project student will be based mainly in Dublin, working under
the supervision of Professor Catherine Coxon in the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College
Dublin (http://naturalscience.tcd.ie/ ), co-supervised by Professor Laurence Gill (Department of
Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering) and carrying out laboratory method
development and analyses under the supervision of Dr Martin Danaher, Head of the National
Reference Laboratory at Teagasc Ashtown. Fieldwork will be carried out at a range of sites in
southern Ireland. The student will also work closely with Dr. Karl Richards, Head of the
Environment, Soils and Land-use Department and Dr. Per-Erik Mellander, Agricultural
Catchments Programme, at Teagasc Johnstown Castle Environmental Research Centre in Co.
Wexford, and the student may be based at Johnstown Castle for part of the project.
Application procedure: Applicants should submit (a) a curriculum vitae, detailing their
qualifications and experience, (b) proof of driving licence, (c) a covering letter explaining why
they wish to pursue this project, and (d) contact details for two referees. This information
should be sent as email attachments to Prof. Catherine Coxon, Department of Geology, School
of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, email: cecoxon@tcd.ie
Closing date for applications: 8th May 2015