Doctoral position on PFAS Pathways: Tracking “Forever Chemicals” through Soil–Groundwater Interfaces for Safer Water

The focus of this PhD project will be on quantifying the control exerted by soil physico-chemical properties and episodic recharge events on the fate, transport, and transformation of PFAS. The student will have the unique opportunity to learn, develop, and apply a range of cutting-edge (laboratory) experimental and modeling techniques, including the integration of machine learning and process-based models. Measurements will be guided by and compared with the modeling developed in this project. Findings will help advance our knowledge of governing processes of PFAS mobility in soils and aquifers, providing a robust scientific basis for predictive modelling, risk assessment, and the development of sustainable groundwater protection strategies.

The Subsurface Environmental Processes Group (Eawag and ETH Zurich) is seeking a dynamic and motivated doctoral student to study the dynamics of PFAS in subsurface environments. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of highly persistent synthetic compounds increasingly detected in soils and aquifers worldwide. Their extreme stability and mobility make PFAS a critical challenge for groundwater quality and drinking water security. Although PFAS contamination has been reported in many regions, the fundamental mechanisms controlling PFAS fate and transport in coupled soil–aquifer systems remain poorly understood.

• The successful candidate should have a background in groundwater hydrology, soil physics, engineering, or related areas, with a strong quantitative inclination.

• They should have a desire to work experimentally at the interface between physics, chemistry, and engineering, and to combine experimental research with mathematical modeling.

• The student will have the opportunity to work in a highly interdisciplinary, fast-paced research environment, to gain skills in several technologies (analytical and computational), to learn about fundamental physical and chemical processes in porous media and subsurface environmental processes in general, and to interact with world-class collaborators in environmental chemistry, reactive transport, and hybrid approaches (process-based models and machine learning).

• The ability to work independently, but also to interact and collaborate within a team, will be a great asset.

• An interest for contributing to teaching activities is highly valued.