About this role
Job offer - JOB - Netherlands - Wageningen University and Research Centre via AcademicTransfer - Posted on: 5 August 2026 Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Water resources engineering Environmental science » Earth science Environmental science » Water science First Stage Researcher (R1) Type of Contract Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Are you interested in tackling the global plastic pollution crisis through science? Do you want to develop and improve forecasting models to support design and implementation of reduction measures? Are you motivated to work on impact-oriented research in an emerging field with high societal relevance? We are looking for a highly motivated EngD researcher to join our team (2 years, full-time, fully funded) at the Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group at Wageningen University. Plastic pollution has become a worldwide problem. Rivers play a crucial role in the transport of land-based plastic pollution towards the ocean. Moreover, large amounts of plastic are retained in and around rivers. Accurate assessments of the current and future state of plastic pollution in rivers are crucial in finding ways to realize effective reduction. In this project, we aim to develop a practical model to forecast river plastic pollution transport and quantify the impact of potential solutions. In this EngD research project you will develop a new modeling tool to quantify plastic pollution in river systems, including input, transport, and export into the ocean. You will build on existing models ( reference 1 , reference 2 ), and focus on improving the temporal and spatial resolution. The model aims to estimate the impact of potential reduction strategies to support decision-makers. Furthermore, you will aim to better account for and quantify uncertainties in fore...