PhD in Environmental Geosciences: Microplastic Transfer and Contaminant Flows in Urban Areas

The University of Orléans, through the Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans (ISTO), is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on the integrated study of microplastic flows and contaminant transfer in urban environments, with a particular emphasis on the Orléans metropolitan area and the Loire River headwaters. The research is part of the 'Stop aux Plastocs' programme and aims to provide both mechanistic understanding and operational insights into the transfer of microplastics (MPs) in large urban areas. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment at ISTO, collaborating with a consortium of university researchers, operational staff, and infrastructure managers. The project will involve field sampling, laboratory analyses, and the development of analytical protocols for microplastics and associated contaminants. The doctoral student will work at the OBSCURE (SNO Observil) instrumentation site and the GEOMIN platform, and will interact closely with other researchers, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows, including those from the LEE laboratory in Nantes. The main objective of the thesis is to quantify and characterize microplastic flows by context (rural vs. urban), matrix (water vs. sediment), and weather conditions (dry vs. rainy). The research will also identify the types of plastics involved and transfer this knowledge to operational staff for improved management of urban water systems. The project covers areas such as environmental geosciences, contaminant transfer, urban hydrosystems, and pollution diagnostics. Applicants should have a Master's degree or equivalent in engineering, geosciences, physics, or chemistry, with a strong interest in both field and laboratory work. Good writing skills and a passion for research are essential. The position is fully funded for 36 months, starting October 1, 2026, with a deadline to apply by April 5, 2026. Supervision will be provided by a team of experts: Cyprien Soulaine (CNRS Research Fellow, ISTO Orléans), Johnny Gasperi (DR Université Gustave Eiffel, LEE Nantes), Anaëlle Simonneau (Senior Lecturer, University of Orléans), and Claude Le Milbeau (IR, University of Orléans). For more information or to apply, candidates should send their CV, cover letter, references, and transcripts to [email protected].