Spectroscopic detection of environmental PFAS pollution

The Mads Clausen Institute (MCI), part of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark, offers a part-time position (Primo January 2025– 30.06.2025) as a Student Assistant for its environmental monitoring activities.  The Mads Clausen Institute is located in the inspiring building of Alsion that is place of residence for a number of enterprises in the Science Park: South Jutland Symphony Orchestra and the concert hall of Alsion. Thus, the university has close bonds to the industrial as well as the cultural environment of Sønderborg.

The Mads Clausen Institute provides a comprehensive suite of tools necessary for full sensor design and environmental analysis, including various modern 3D printers, 3D scanners and clean room facilities along with classic manufacturing methods. It also has a full-fledged Sensor Training lab with various spectroscopic methods, advanced water and sampling techniques as well as a range of commercial sensor modalities for calibration and validation. 

Alongside mechatronic competences, the student assistant is expected to have insight into and not limited to basic spectroscopic methods, electronics, 3D printing and mechanical design.

Assignments of the Student Assistant at MCI include:

• Perform Raman spectroscopy.
• Engage in SERS substrate development. 
• Design, test and validate microfluidics for in-flow analysis.
• Experiment design of various PFAS related chemicals. 
• Select and install the necessary electronics based on the specific requirements.
• Testing prototypes, including using environmental water samples.
• Prototyping and rapid iteration.

The following qualifications and skills are strong assets:

• Experience in spectroscopic methods, including Raman
• Experience in microfluidic integration and fabrication.
• Experience in analytical data analysis for machine learning. 
• Familiarity with SERS and related methods.
• Practical lab experience and chemical handling skills. 

 

For further information about the position, please contact

Casper Kunstmann, Associate Professor

tel. +45 6550 4755, e-mail: [email protected]

  Please note, the selected candidate as Student Assistant or Academic Supervisor must be enrolled as student at SDU.
Employment shall take place in accordance with the framework agreement between the Ministry of Finance and SUL (National Union for Student Teachers in Government Service).
Last day to submit application is January 1st. 2025.   In case you have not yet had an examination at SDU, the enrollment confirmation instead of the exam transcript must be annexed your application.  

Application must include cover letter, CV and transcript of grades. All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) – in that case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

  All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. Cover letter and CV can contain max. 5 Mb.
  We recommend that you read how to apply before you apply.
  The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.