PhD candidate (M/F) in Environmental Radiochemistry

Descrizione

PhD candidate (M/F) in Environmental Radiochemistry Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): Il progetto di dottorato è parte di una collaborazione internazionale tra Université Côte d'Azur, Université Laval e il Takuvik Polar Institute. Il lavoro si svolgerà in un ambiente interdisciplinare che combina radiochemica, geochimica ambientale e modellazione. La ricerca si concentrerà sulla comprensione dei meccanismi fisico-chimici che controllano il comportamento dei radionuclidi in suoli ricchi di materia organica e residui minerari delle regioni subartiche. È richiesta una laurea in chimica o in un campo correlato. Le attività di ricerca includeranno esperimenti di laboratorio, studi su suoli naturali e scarti minerari, tecniche analitiche avanzate e modellazione del trasporto reattivo. I risultati contribuiranno a migliorare la comprensione del comportamento dei radionuclidi in ambienti colpiti da attività mineraria e cambiamenti climatici. The PhD project is part of an international collaboration between Université Côte d'Azur, Université Laval, and the Takuvik Polar Institute. The work will be carried out in an interdisciplinary environment combining radiochemistry, environmental geochemistry, and modelling. It will rely on the use of advanced experimental techniques, including radiochemical methods and synchrotron-based spectroscopy, as well as reactive transport modelling. The research will be primarily conducted at Université Côte d'Azur. Research stays are also planned at Université Laval and at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility to perform advanced spectroscopic experiments. This PhD project focuses on understanding the physicochemical mechanisms controlling the behaviour of radionuclides in organic-rich soils and mining residues from subarctic regions. These environments, characterized by strong seasonal variability and significantly affected by climate change, represent a major challenge for assessing the environmental impact of uranium and rare earth element mining. The objective is to identify the processes governing the speciation, retention, and transport of radionuclides such as uranium, thorium, and radium, by investigating their interactions with organic matter, mineral phases, and competing elements. Particular attention will be given to the effects of freeze–thaw cycles and hydrological variations, which may significantly alter contaminant mobility in these systems. The work will combine laboratory experiments, studies of natural soils and mining tailings, advanced analytical techniques including synchrotron-based spectroscopy, and reactive transport modelling. The results will contribute to improving the understanding of radionuclide behaviour in mining-impacted environments under climate change and to the development of predictive tools for environmental risk assessment. Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess (Commissione europea).