Since their introduction in 1920 antibiotics have made it possible to prevent and cure
infections in humans (and animals). As a result, our quality of life has improved enormously.
Unfortunately (mis)use of antibiotics has created a major challenge which threatens human
health, namely antibiotics resistant bacteria. Clearly, not being able to treat bacterial
infections can result in prolonged illness, a greater risk for complications, increased
morbidity, and higher mortality rates. Basically, further escalation of antibiotics resistance
may undo the progress made in the prevention/treatment of infections since their
introduction.

One import issue, which not many realize, is that antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria
end up in the environment. One source for such spillage is hospital wastewater.
Unfortunately, the current generation of waste water treatment plants is not equipped to treat
this problem, rather it focuses on the removal of organic pollution and nutrients using a.o.
bacterial cultures. It has even been demonstrated that the current wastewater treatment
plants can enhance the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between different
types of bacteria. This may lead to further spread of antibiotic resistance and extent the
threat to public health.

The goal of this project is to develop a nanotechnology based platform that allows selective
capture of antibiotic resistant bacteria from hospital wastewater streams. By studying the
different parameters of importance for the platform (chemistry and engineering), we hope to
obtain information that can serve as basis for large scale treatment of wastewater streams
that contain antibiotic resistant bacteria or genes thereof.

Requirements

We are looking for an excellent, highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with an MSc
degree in the field of Medicine, Molecular Life Sciences, Chemistry or Nanotechnology with
affinity for water technology/process engineering. Adequate experimental and theoretical
skills are required. Candidates with experience in (bio)(supra)molecular synthesis and
characterization are preferred. Knowledge of spectroscopic tools is a plus.

Location: Wetsus, Leeuwarden

Promotor: prof. dr. Aldrik Velders (WUR)
Co-promotor: dr. Fijs van Leeuwen (LUMC)
Wetsus project manager: dr.ir. Lucía Hernández Leal

Your profile

Are you one of the top 3 performers in your class? Are you enthusiastic about multidisciplinary research? And are you highly motivated? If the answer to all three of these questions is “yes” and you have (or will have) a MSc degree in a related discipline described above you could be the ideal candidate for a PhD project in Wetsus. Fluency in English is a requirement. Interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure.

Our offer

You will be working in a new, innovative, dynamic and future-directed research institute. You
will be able to put your stamp on the development of new water technology. You will work in
close collaboration with our industrial partners and also with top research groups at various
universities.
Salary and working conditions are according to the collective labor agreement of the
Cooperative Association of Dutch Universities (VSNU) for PhD students. PhD students are
appointed by one of the cooperating universities but research is mainly conducted at Wetsus
in Leeuwarden.

How to apply

Interested candidates can send their motivation letter, CV (including references) and a list of
courses and grades to Wetsus, attn. Recruitment Department, PO box 1113, 8900 CC
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Email to recruitment@wetsus.nl.