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Type of project: MSc internship or thesis
Duration: 6 months
Start date: July 2026
Location: Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
Background
Research has demonstrated the important role of the human gut microbiome in regulating human health and susceptibility to disease. Moreover, there is ample research evidence demonstrating the impact of different dietary interventions on the gut microbiome. Even though drinking water is an integral part of a healthy diet, its impact on the human gut microbiome is poorly understood mainly because of the lack of appropriate controls and confounding factors in-vivo. These challenges necessitate an in-vitro approach that can simulate a drinking water-dependent response. While there are many protocols explaining how to simulate the gut microbiome environment outside the human body, they do not incorporate drinking water. In general, the overall impact of drinking water on human health via the gut microbiome has been overlooked.
Research goals
The main goal of this project is to simulate the gut microbiome in-vitro in the presence of different drinking water types and modifications of the chosen culture medium. Then, the community composition and function of the microbiome will be monitored with molecular and analytical techniques to
(1)Trace drinking water bacteria in the gut microbiome and
(2)Identify changes in the pH, gas composition and specific metabolite concentrations
The aim is to capture a drinking-water dependent response by comparing with a reference culture that lacks drinking water. These results may reveal a link between drinking water types and health mediated by the gut microbiome
Your responsibilities
-Process human fecal samples in an anaerobic chamber and carry out fermentation experiments in batch
-Perform molecular and analytical techniques such as flow cytometry, DNA / RNA extraction and qPCR
-Record and interpret experimental data
-Write an MSc thesis / article manuscript if required
-Present data according to conventional scientific standards
Our requirements
-EU citizen or international student registered at a Dutch university
-Enrolled in Microbiology, Biomedical sciences, food technology MSc program or a related field
-Overall interest in microbiology and/or molecular biology
-Previous experience in analytical and molecular biology techniques such as flow cytometry, DNA extraction and PCR is a plus.
-Good verbal and written communication skills in English
-Reliable, organized and able to work in large teams
Your benefits
-Gain hands-on laboratory experience in various molecular & analytical techniques
-Receive close guidance via weekly or biweekly meetings
-Experience the multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment at Wetsus
-Join a large pool of thesis/internship students in an international working environment
-Allowance of 425 EUR per month. Grant holding students (i.e. Erasmus or other) receiving financial support of less than 425 € per month can apply for a top-up supplement to the maximum allowance.
How to apply:
Interested students are invited to send a motivation letter (max. 1 page) and a CV (max. 2 pages) to Adel Bou Alia (Adel.BouAlia@Wetsus.nl) or via the application form below. In the email, please indicate anticipated starting month and how long you are available.
Abstract
The realisation of a circular economy has thus far unfolded under the assumption that it would fit within existing economic arrangements. In practice, we witness many circular initiatives struggling to give shape to their ambitions, let alone develop to maturity. These past months, various material recycling organisations terminated their activities, seeing virgin alternatives from other parts of the world flooding the market at prices against they cannot compete. If the transition towards a circular economy (i.e. an economy of value preservation) is to be taken seriously, a new perspective on value in our economic system seems unavoidable, as the rewriting of the rules of the economic game. At this moment, current perceptions of value stand in the way of this transition both at micro as well as macro levels. Several contours for a collective exploration of new directions of value and economic configuration that foster circular transition will be addressed.
Abstract
In his key note he will conclude after a life of innovations that it is impossible that humanity will stay within the save planetary boundaries with innovation only. We should be more critical about the behaviour of the rich population in the world and more critical about new innovations that prove to be dangerous, like the PFAS crisis shows at this moment. In his keynote he will investigate how to look at the world that can stay within the save planetary boundaries, how should we change ourselves? It is clear if we only talk about the words of science and systems we miss the essential words of how we should cooperate and change ourselves. And his search for coherent save innovations. Which innovations will be save and will lead to a fair and sustainable world? And will lead to a world we want to live in.
Abstract
There is a growing number of new sustainable, inclusive, cohesive, participatory, just and humane economic models. A possible next step in the discourse about them is the comparative analysis in order to find out key commonalities, potential synergies, and “requirements” for a future-fit economic model. The author and initiator of the Economy for the Common Good provides an overview of these „new sustainable economic models“ and compares them according to underlying values, principles, and practical ways of implementation. The keynote addresses the cooperative spirit of the conference and prepares the ground for its public highlight on the eve of June 3rd, the round table with representatives of diverse future-fit economic models.
Abstract
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Abstract
Democracy is under pressure, and less and less able to stir the economy into a sustainable direction. Therefore, to stabilize democracy and to make possible the socio-ecological transformation of the economy, democratic principles need to be implemented directly in the economy. This is not only a matter of morality, but also has practical advantages. Democratizing the economy can increase legitimacy and take advantage of the “knowledge of the many” to accelerate the transformation. Democratic practices, especially deliberation, allow bringing together different forms of knowledge, which is crucial for the local implementation of principles of social and ecological sustainability. This talk explores what this idea means in more concrete terms, from democratic participation in the workplace to the democratization of time.
Abstract
Over the past decades, markets have conventionally been seen as the best instrument to stimulate economic growth and enhance prosperity and well-being. The automatic link between markets and economic growth is increasingly questioned, however, as well as the automatic link between economic growth and enhancement of well-being. This has led to attempts to capture well-being development more directly than through GDP per capita figures and has produced a more variegated picture of well-being growth. Also, this has led to a shift of focus to other coordination systems than the market, as primarily the state but increasingly also the association. Analyses of the historical record suggest that especially the latter could be a vital component in future well-being.