About this role
Logo of EURAXESS - JOB - Netherlands - Wetsus - European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology - Posted on: 9 September 2026 Page contents 9 Sep 2026 Wetsus - European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology Research Field Physics » Chemical physics Physics » Biophysics Technology » Water technology Chemistry » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 16 Oct 2026 - 15:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 2026.17 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description Assessing ultra-weak photon emission as a marker of treatment-induced changes in water Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is a very weak light signal that has been measured in many biological systems and is mainly linked to oxidative and physicochemical processes. In water systems, however, spontaneous photon emission remains poorly understood and experimentally challenging. This project investigates the origins of UPE and whether and how these signals are related to physical, chemical or microbiological parameters. The project further investigates the applicabilty of UPE as detection tool for non-chemical water treatment methods. Measurements will include ultra-sensitive photon counting, delayed luminescence, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, flow cytometry and microbiological profiling. The project combines photonics, water technology and microbiological analysis to create a scientifically controlled framework for evaluating treatment-induced changes in water. Research challenges The main challenge is that ultra-weak photon signals from water are extremely small and can easily be influenced b...