5 PhD (EID) positions available for EU project TreatREC

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Paula McGee
6 years ago
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1 5 PhD (EID) positions available for EU TreatREC TreatREC - Interdisciplinary concepts for municipal wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Tackling future challenges is a Marie Sklodowska Curie Action European Industrial Doctorate (EID) (programme Innovative Training Networks (ITN) of Horizon 2020). The is a joint collaboration between academia and industry with a clear aim of producing a group of early stage researchers capable of conducting high quality research, but also able to address industrial and societal needs and implement wastewater-related directives in practice. The five researchers will conduct their scientific s in an environment that combines industrial excellence in the development, design, construction and management of wastewater treatment systems, with complementary academic excellence in a) hypothesis-driven research involving the improvement/upgrading of state-of-the art technologies and the deepening the understanding of fate and removal of microcontaminants in wastewater treatment systems and in b) applied research involving the development of decision support systems which allow for the encapsulation of knowledge for further use in decision-making processes. We are looking for 5 post-graduate researchers (Early Stage Researchers - ESR), specialized in Chemistry, Chemical, Environmental, Civil Engineering and similar. The position is offered for 3 years for the following individual research s: ESR1. Tackling emerging compounds in WWTP s : Aquafin NV, Research & Development, Aartselaar, Belgium ESR2. Transformation of microcontaminants in wastewater treatment : Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain ESR 3. Optimal configuration of nitrogen and phosphorous recovery schemes within WWTPs : University of Girona, LEQUIA, Girona, Spain ESR 4. The resilience of wastewater treatment to multiple stress conditions : ATKINS, Bristol, UK ESR 5. Assessment of environmental and socio-economical implications of urban wastewater systems upgrading : Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain All hired researchers will compulsory enrol Doctoral Programme in Water Science and technology at the University of Girona, Spain, and undertake mobility in order to implement the Individual Research Project as well as to participate in a sustained training programme. Follow the link for more information on the Doctoral Programme.

2 - Remuneration according to MSCA ITN rules Eligibility criteria - Nationals from any country may apply - Mobility: at the time of the recruitment, the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.), in the country of the chosen host institution (recruiting beneficiary) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of the recruitment. - Research category of Early Stage Researcher (ESR): researchers who, at the time of the recruitment, have not yet been awarded a doctorate degree and are in the first 4 (full-time equivalent) of their research careers, including the research training period that would entitle them to a doctorate. General evaluation criteria - Educational background relevant for the chosen position (individual research ) - For holders of an official university degree from the countries within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA): A minimum of 300 ECTS credits completed in official university studies are required, of which at least 60 must be at a master s degree level. For holders of a university degree obtained in another country, an equivalent degree that qualifies the holder to begin doctoral studies in the country in which it was issued (a certificated from the University may be required). - Previous research experience, relevant to the chosen position. - Language skills (English compulsory). - Networking and communication skills (to be evaluated in the interview). How to apply Applicants should send full application consisting of: - A statement letter addressing his/her research interests in relationship with the selected individual research * 1 - University transcripts (grades) - Curriculum Vitae (Europass format recommended) - 2 recommendation letters to the TreatREC coordinator Dr. Mira Petrovic (mpetrovic@icra.cat) before 15 th of January, Applicants may indicate two individual research s in order of preference (1 st and 2 nd choice)

3 List of Individual Research Projects Fellow code: ESR 1 Title of individual research Mobility Tackling emerging compounds in WWTP s Aquafin NV, Research & Development, Aartselaar, Belgium The main objective is to evaluate sustainable and innovative wastewater treatment technologies to improve the removal efficiency of microcontaminants. The proposed technologies will be a combination of biological processes such as membrane biological reactors (MBR) with polishing stages such as advanced oxidation processes (AOP), activated carbon and bioelctrochemical systems (BES) or MBR with bioaugmentation. 18 months Aquafin, Belgium; 18 months University of Girona/ICRA, Spain Marjoleine Weemaes (AQUAFIN) Joaquim Comas (UdG) Ignasi Rodriguez-Roda (ICRA) Environmental, chemical or civil engineering Interest in pilot scale research on a wastewater treatment plant (practical!), data handling, technology development,

4 Fellow code: ESR 2 Title of individual research Mobility Transformation of microcontaminants in wastewater treatment Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain The main objective of this ESR is to elucidate transformation pathways and identify structures of main transformation products (TPs) from selected emerging microcontaminants formed during treatments studied in PhD of ESR1 (BioMAC, MBR, Bioaugmentation, AOP and BES) and evaluate potential ecotoxicological effects of intermediate TPs. In addition, aim is to get better insight into transformation processes during treatment, such as deconjugation (relevant for hormones and pharmaceuticals) and chiral transformations (pharmaceuticals and their metabolites). 16 months ICRA, Girona, Spain; 14 months ATKINS, UK; 4 months Aquafin, Belgium; 2 month secondment UK (University of Bath) Mira Petrovic (ICRA) John Bagnall (ATKINS) Roels Joris (AQUAFIN) Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Chemical Engineering Experience in chemical analysis using chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques will be positively considered

5 Fellow code: ESR 3 Title of individual research Optimal configuration of nitrogen and phosphorous recovery schemes within WWTPs University of Girona, LEQUIA, Girona, Spain This ESR will focus on the study of the combination of ammonium struvite plus anaerobic ammonium oxidation from the liquid fraction of the digested sludge in terms of nitrogen and phosphorous recovery as well as their impact on the whole water line. The following topics will be studied: 1. Lab-scale evaluation for NH4-struvite plus one stage anaerobic ammonium oxidation: operational conditions, quality and operational cost, influence over water line. 2. Lab-scale evaluation of operational conditions for one stage anaerobic ammonium oxidation plua K-struvite precipitation: operational conditions, quality and operational cost, influence over water line. 3. Design, construction and operation of a pilot plant for (NH4-or-K struvite and anaerobic ammonium oxidation) according to the previous results. Mobility 18 months University of Girona, Spain; 18 months Aquafin, Belgium Jesús Colprim (University of Girona) Marjoleine Weemaes (AQUAFIN) Bsc in Chemical Engineering, environmental engineering or similar; Msc degree in environmental science, biotechnology or similar. Knowledge on molecular tools and wastewater treatment experience is desirable

6 Fellow code: ESR 4 Title of individual research The resilience of wastewater treatment of to multiple stress conditions ATKINS, Bristol, UK This aims to investigate the multiple stressors that trigger periods of reduced wastewater performance and effluent quality. The objectives of this investigation are: To identify multiple stressors that pose a risk to maintaining effluent quality To determine whether identified stressors cause short, medium or long term changes to bacterial assemblages within urban wastewater system To identify mitigation measures to ameliorate against periods of reduced effluent quality and increased variability resulting from stressors. Mobility 18 months ATKINS, UK; 18 months ICRA/University of Girona, Spain John Bagnall (ATKINS) Lluis Corominas (ICRA) Geoff Darch (ATKINS) Applicants from chemistry, biological or environmental sciences, civil or chemical engineering or geography backgrounds will be considered, however good numerical and analytical skills are essential. A knowledge of wastewater treatment and broader catchment issues facing water quality. An understanding of the challenges facing the water industry from climate changes and resource limitation.

7 Fellow code: ESR 5 Title of individual research Mobility Assessment of environmental and socioeconomical implications of urban wastewater systems upgrading Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain Water managers are facing emerging challenges in urban wastewater systems pushed by societal, economical and technological changes. In order to evaluate how well the system meets specific objectives influenced by current and emerging challenges, relevant indicators are employed. The objective of this research topic is to develop an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to assess the technical, environmental and socioeconomic aspects for WWTP upgrade. A subobjective is to include uncertainty into the EDSS to make more qualified decisions 18 months ICRA/University of Girona, Spain; 11 months AQUAFIN, Belgium; 4 months ATKINS, UK, secondment 1 month The Netherlands. Lluis Corominas (ICRA) Adrien Marchi (AQUAFIN) Joaquim Comas (UdG) Environmental, chemical or civil engineering or environmental science Knowledge in wastewater treatment modelling; multicriteria analysis; decision support systems is desirable

PhD /Early Stage Researcher (ESR 7) position for Microscopic 3D imaging and conservation

PhD /Early Stage Researcher (ESR 7) position for Microscopic 3D imaging and conservation PhD Enrollment: NORVEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NTNU) Host Institution: Research and Restoration