DTU Sustain’s section Waste, Climate and Monitoring offers a 2-year position as a post-doctoral fellow in detection and quantification of fugitive emissions of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) from waste management facilities.
Foreign and Danish studies have shown that landfills and wastewater treatment plants are important sources of PFAS to the aquatic environment. Knowledge about emissions of volatile PFAS compounds to air is limited, and it is unknown whether landfills and wastewater treatment plants are significant sources when it comes to PFAS emissions to the air. This project aims at developing analytical methods and capacity to sample and quantify volatile PFAS compounds and air emissions from Danish landfills and treatment plants.
The project is carried out in collaboration between DTU and the University of Copenhagen. The project is led by Professor Charlotte Scheutz from DTU Sustain, who contributes with knowledge about the waste sector and experience with gas sampling and analysis. From the University of Copenhagen, Associate Professor Xenia Trier is participating, contributing with knowledge about PFAS substances and analytical capacity (gas and liquid chromatography (GC- and LC) – high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Professor Ole John Nielsen has knowledge and capacity in infrared (IR) methods to detect potential F-gases being emitted.
You will become part of the newly established Danish PFAS Centre, which aims to provide tools to monitor and assess PFAS, and thereby to support the Danish EPA and the Danish Ministry of Environment in limiting PFAS pollution and exposures in Denmark.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We seek candidates within the field of analytical chemistry and environmental monitoring, who are interested in working with environmental sampling at Danish utilities. Applicants can have a background in chemistry, environmental sciences and engineering, or related fields, who have practical experience from analytical chemistry and with a preference to a strong background in chemistry. Candidates with practical experience in non-target analysis and data analysis workflows, gas chromatography of very volatile compounds, and sampling will be prioritized. The project is exploratory, and we therefore welcome candidates who thrive without certainty of the outcome. As the project spans several disciplinary fields, candidates are expected to be enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary environment, collaborating with researchers that have a diverse background and be familiar with interdisciplinary research approaches.
The candidate should have a driver’s license and be aware that field work requires mobility potentially outside standard working hours and sampling work at various locations in Denmark and possibly elsewhere.
Your primary tasks will be to:
- perform literature review (peer-reviewed, books and grey literature) on volatile gas and aerosol PFAS emissions from waste management facilities, aiming to make a suspect m/z list
- set up a sampling method for very volatile PFAS in gas and aerosols
- set up GC - low- and high-resolution MS (GC-LR/HRMS) method for (very) volatile PFAS, and extend an LC-HRMS method to detect and quantify PFAS
- collect gas samples from 5-6 Danish facilities, conduct gas analysis and data assessments
- carry through an independent research project under supervision
- write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals, and reports to the Danish PFAS Centre
- participate in active research environments, and bridge between two research institutions at DTU and KU, respectively
- knowledge dissemination activities, in Denmark and internationally to the Danish utilities and participate in workshops
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the Postdoc project, preferably with a background in chemistry and experience with PFAS and HRMS, and preferably GC. Experience with environmental sampling and IR is an advantage, but not critical.
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest, theoretical understanding and practical experience in chemistry and analytical chemistry
- Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written).
- Team spirit and proactive attitude
As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
At University of Copenhagen, the Analytical Chemistry Group excels in environmental analytical chemistry and have a group of approximately 30 people and state-of-the-art equipment chromatography and mass spectrometry equipment. You will work in close collaboration with a PhD student and post-docs also working on PFAS.
Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 2 years. The starting date is as soon as possible.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Charlotte Scheutz, Section of Waste, Climate and Monitoring, chas@dtu.dk and Associate Professor Xenia Trier, Section for Environmental Chemistry and Physics, xt@plen.ku.dk.
You can read more about DTU Sustain at www.sustain.dtu.dk, and about UCPH PLEN, analytical chemistry division here: https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/env_chem_phys/ac/raace/
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 25 July 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- Application (cover letter)
- CV
- Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
- List of publications
- Letters of recommendation (not mandatory)
The cover letter must maximum be one page and the CV should include information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.