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) are increasingly being detected in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, as they are not fully removed during conventional treatment processes. These particles can accumulate in the sludge, which is often applied to agricultural land, potentially introducing MPs into soils and the wider environment. Monitoring and analyzing MPs in sewage sludge is therefore critical to understanding their environmental fate and potential risks. Within the framework of the project MikroStrat-SH2, sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants in the region of Schleswig-Holstein will be analysed for MPs.
Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) are increasingly being detected in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, as they are not fully removed during conventional treatment processes. These particles can accumulate in the sludge, which is often applied to agricultural land, potentially introducing MPs into soils and the wider environment. Monitoring and analyzing MPs in sewage sludge is therefore critical to understanding their environmental fate and potential risks. Within the framework of the project MikroStrat-SH2, sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants 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 sewage sludge 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 sewage sludge 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?
For more information or questions regarding the project, please contact Dr. Fangzhu Wu (fangzhu.wu@awi.de), Dr. Gunnar Gerdts (gunnar.gerdts@awi.de) and 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).
For more information or questions regarding the project, please contact Dr. Fangzhu Wu (fangzhu.wu@awi.de), Dr. Gunnar Gerdts (gunnar.gerdts@awi.de) and 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).