The Donaher Lab at the University of Tennessee Knoxville invites applications for 1-2 fully funded PhD student positions beginning Spring 2025 (preferred) or Fall 2025.

The PhD student(s) will join the Environmental Radioactivity Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, led by Dr. Sarah Donaher. Lab focuses include radioecology, nuclear decommissioning and environmental management, and ecotoxicology. Students will have the flexibility to propose projects of their own interest that are relevant to the lab goals or work on existing projects such as 1) the role of microplastics as vectors for other contaminants, 2) metal mobility and bioavailability in wetlands, and 3) applications of biological tissues in environmental forensics.

Interested applicants should reach out to Dr. Sarah Donaher at sdonaher@utk.edu. Please include a short description of your research background/interests and Academic CV

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, Geology, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline
2.  Strong technical writing and communication skills
3. Ability to work independently and within a team
4. Willingness to conduct radiological lab work