PhD student in nature-inspired biocarbon–enzyme composites for PFAS remediation Full-time

PhD Student in Nature-Inspired Biocarbon–Enzyme Composites for PFAS Remediation

PhD student in nature-inspired biocarbon–enzyme composites for PFAS remediation

Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences

PhD Student in Nature-Inspired Biocarbon–Enzyme Composites for PFAS Remediation

The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education in geoscience. It offers a broad range of expertise that can contribute to solving important societal issues.

Earth is a dynamic and constantly changing planet. To understand how this planet works, our researchers seek answers in the field, through laboratory experiments and advanced models. Our research and education cover a wide range of disciplines, including rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind power and energy, environmental and water engineering, and sustainable development.

Our research combines natural sciences and technology with social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. More than 300 people from over 30 countries work at the department, both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland.

Project Description:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent synthetic chemicals contaminating soil and groundwater at numerous sites in Sweden and globally, with documented risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Existing remediation methods based on adsorption (activated carbon) or membrane filtration effectively remove PFAS from water but do not destroy the compounds, generating concentrated waste that requires further treatment. This project develops a novel, circular in situ remediation approach by combining lignin-derived biocarbon with PFAS-degrading enzymes to simultaneously adsorb and catalytically degrade PFAS, advancing beyond current separation-only technologies.

The project, EnzCarb4PFAS, focuses on developing lignin-derived biocarbon materials with high PFAS sorption capacity and immobilizing enzymes on their surfaces to enable simultaneous adsorption and catalytic defluorination. Lignin, a renewable by-product of the pulp and paper industry, is converted into highly porous biocarbons that concentrate PFAS from contaminated water. Enzyme immobilization on the biocarbon surface extends enzyme lifetime, improves substrate accessibility, and creates a synergistic system in which adsorption brings PFAS into close contact with the enzyme active sites. Research will progress through three coordinated work packages: (WP1) screening of extracellular enzymes for PFAS transformation using real contaminated groundwater; (WP2) development and validation of biocarbon–enzyme composites; and (WP3) pilot-scale testing in lysimeter systems of contaminated water and soil from former firefighting training sites.

The Ph.D. student will be working under the main supervision of Assistant Professor Tetyana Budnyak and co-supervision of Professor Fritjof Fagerlund. The research subject of the PhD defence will be in environmental analyses. The project will involve close collaboration with industrial partners and other relevant stakeholders, as well as academic research groups in Sweden and internationally, providing the Ph.D. student with opportunities to work in a broad interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies, which include participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The work tasks will include synthesis and characterization of lignin-derived biocarbon materials, screening and immobilization of enzymes, and evaluation of PFAS adsorption and degradation performance in laboratory column experiments and pilot-scale lysimeter systems using real PFAS-contaminated soil and groundwater.

Requirements

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:

• hold a Master's (second-cycle) degree in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, materials science, environmental engineering, or related fields
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master's level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

We attach great importance to personal qualities and are interested in individuals who are determined, structured, well-organized, possess strong analytical abilities, and have an interest in project planning and leadership. The PhD student needs to be able to work effectively both individually and in groups, to manage and run scientific projects and to simultaneously interact with other researchers. We are looking for a PhD student who has a strong motivation to complete doctoral studies in this interdisciplinary subject, and who in a focused way takes on the assigned tasks. We expect the PhD student to be proficient in oral and written English in order to interact and communicate effectively with all employees as well as to publish internationally.

Additional qualifications

Applicants expecting to obtain their MSc in the near future are also encouraged to apply. It will be an advantage, although not a requirement if the candidate has some experience in one or more of the following fields:

• experience with PFAS analysis, water treatment technologies, or environmental remediation techniques,
• physicochemical materials characterization
• data analysis and visualization skills

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100%. Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students. Starting date: January 1st 2027, or as agreed. Placement: Department of Earth Sciences.

For further information about the position, please contact: Assistant Professor Tetyana Budnyak (tetyana.budnyak@geo.uu.se)

Please submit your application by 18 September 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2467.