The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
Master student in chemistry or environmental sciences (f/m/d)
Background
Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) have been detected globally in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Rainwater/stormwater is a major pathway through which MPs enter aquatic systems, where they may pose significant threats to ecosystem health. Within the framework of the project MikroStrat-SH2, rainwater retention basins in the region of Schleswig-Holstein will be analysed for MPs.
Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) have been detected globally in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Rainwater/stormwater is a major pathway through which MPs enter aquatic systems, where they may pose significant threats to ecosystem health. Within the framework of the project MikroStrat-SH2, rainwater retention basins in the region of Schleswig-Holstein will be analysed for MPs.
Your Tasks
As part of the Master’s thesis, efficient methods for extracting MPs from water and sediment samples collected in rainwater/stormwater retention basins will be optimized, and environmental samples will be analyzed. The samples will be extracted and purified, then analyzed using LUMOS II micro-FTIR spectroscopy.
As part of the Master’s thesis, efficient methods for extracting MPs from water and sediment samples collected in rainwater/stormwater retention basins will be optimized, and environmental samples will be analyzed. The samples will be extracted and purified, then analyzed using LUMOS II micro-FTIR spectroscopy.
Your Profile
- enrolled at an University
- keen interest in plastic pollution
Further Information
The place of employment will be Helgoland.
Start: March/April 2026
The place of employment will be Helgoland.
Start: March/April 2026
You are interested?
Please forward your applications with the standard documentation (cover letter with motivation, CV) by January 30, 2026 to: Dr. Fangzhu Wu (fangzhu.wu@awi.de), Dr. Gunnar Gerdts (gunnar.gerdts@awi.de) or Dr. Sebastian Primpke (sebastian.primpke@awi.de).
Please forward your applications with the standard documentation (cover letter with motivation, CV) by January 30, 2026 to: Dr. Fangzhu Wu (fangzhu.wu@awi.de), Dr. Gunnar Gerdts (gunnar.gerdts@awi.de) or Dr. Sebastian Primpke (sebastian.primpke@awi.de).