PhD Fellowships in Xenobiotic and Heavy Metals, Ghana

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in partnership with Aarhus University, Denmark  are pleased to invite applications for the PhD Fellowships in Xenobiotic Substances and Heavy Metals. This call are intended to students from low income countries, however those coming from Ghana or West African countries will be given preference. The winning fellows will be conducting PhD research in the area of environmental analytical chemistry. Fellows will receive  a monthly stipend. The application deadline is 15th March, 2016.

Fellowship Description
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in partnership with Aarhus University, Denmark will over the next 5 years conduct a major research project in the area of environmental analytical chemistry. The project has been awarded funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FFU) and is entitled Xenobiotic Substances and Heavy metals in the Environment – a Threat to Health, Ecosystems and Development (Sheathe). The aim of the scholarships is to support further education and training of local scholars in research and academic positions. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to a more sustainable management of natural resources, both in the extraction of raw materials such as gold, and in the management of soil, water and air as natural resources by preventing and controlling pollution.

Award Value
The PhD candidate will be provided with a stipend on monthly basis. Approved travel costs, costs for fieldwork, etc., will be reimbursed. The disbursement of scholarship funds will be connected to the successful delivery of research work products (deliverable) to be agreed upon between the project leader and the PhD fellow at the onset of the research work.

Level and Area of Studies
PhD research in the area of environmental analytical chemistry. The project is divided into 4 work packages (WP). WP 1 and 2 provide knowledge on status and trends in sources, dispersal and possible effects of heavy metals and xenobiotic substances on local- and wider geographic (country) scale. WP 3 investigates the effect of access to information in risk handling at the individual and the community level. WP 4 deals with data collection on heavy metals and xenobiotic substances (measurements and chemical analysis).

Place of Study
The study will be taken in Ghana (The PhD candidates will be enrolled as PhD fellows at KNUST, Kumasi and will enjoy a joint collaborative supervision between KNUST and Aarhus University. The PhD fellows will have the opportunity to take PhD level courses at both universities and 2-3 stays at Aarhus University for approximately 3 months duration each).

Eligibility and Criteria

  • Hold an MSc, MPhil, and MPH, MBA or other equivalent master degree in relevant fields
  • Willingness to work in a team and a strong ambition to accomplish the research goals of the project
  • Creative personality
  • Good academic results/transcripts
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good command of English in speaking and writing
  • PhD candidate from non-Anglophone countries are required to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL OR British Council, IELTS)
  • Good collaborative skills and preferably experience with project management
  • Ability to travel to Denmark for periods of 3-4 months for PhD course training and supervisory workshops
  • Perspectives on future use of PhD skills in Ghana in particular and Sub-Saharan Africa in general (teaching, research, practice)
  • Full time availability from April 2016 for a period of four years
  • Priority will be given to Ghanaian/West African Researchers. Residents from high-income countries are not eligible for consideration.

Applicants’ Nationality
Priority will be given to Ghanaian/West African Researchers. Residents from high-income countries are not eligible for consideration.

Application Instruction
Please find the detail instruction of the application procedure at the link below.

Submission Deadline
15th March, 2016.

Website and Application Link