Groundwater Flor and Contaminant Transport Modelli

Groundwater Flor and Contaminant Transport Modelli

The RESTORE (Research for Subsurface Transport and Remediation) group at the University of Western Ontario invites applications for 1 PhD graduate student and 1 Post-Doctoral Associate (PDA) on groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling. This ‘Best in Science’ project, entitled ‘Assessing the Risk of Organic Contaminants at Off-Site Receptors’ will explore the transport of pollutants in the subsurface via key groundwater and vapour pathways. Significant opportunity will exist for interaction with regulators, site owners/managers and policy makers. Both positions are expected to begin by Sept. 2009 with a two-year commitment for the PDA and an (on average) 4-year commitment by the PhD student. The research will include the use and extension of existing numerical models that simulate contaminant flow and transport in groundwater, vapour and indoor air. Applicants for the PhD should have an undergraduate and MSc degrees in a relevant discipline (Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth Science, Geological Engineering, Soil Science, and Hydrogeology, or similar) while applicants for the post-doctoral position should have a PhD in a relevant discipline. All applicants should have a strong academic record and training/expertise relevant for the project. Relevant publications in highly respected journals in the field are considered an asset, particularly for the PDA position. In addition, excellent communication skills are important, as significant interaction with a variety of stakeholders is expected. Associated with these interactions and delivering presentations at conferences, there is a significant potential for national and international travel. The PDA is expected to provide leadership on this project and to also contribute to one or more additional projects currently underway in the RESTORE group. The successful candidate will join the dynamic RESTORE group, recently awarded over $4 million for experimental and modelling investigations of contaminant behaviour and innovative remediation technologies. The successful candidates will join a research group that includes 15 graduate students, five postdoctoral fellows and three laboratory technicians. RESTORE has 4 fully equipped laboratories, as well as substantial modelling facilities. Salaries for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are highly competitive; substantial increments are available for scholarship holders. Informal inquiries and applications (including a cover letter, CV, and the contact information for three references) should be directed to Jason Gerhard (jgerhard@eng.uwo.ca). The University of Western Ontario is situated in picturesque, London, Ontario, a city of approximately 340,000 along the banks of the Thames river (video: http://www.communications.uwo.ca/weblogs/Ambassador_London/ , with more information: http://www.londontourism.ca/main.aspx, and http://www.goodmovelondon.com/home/ and www.london.ca). It is located within a two hour drive of Toronto and Detroit. The University of Western Ontario is a leading Canadian academic institution that has made a commitment to excel as a research intensive university (http://communications.uwo.ca/about/index.htm). The university frequently ranks among the top universities in Canada most recently being ranked #1 in student satisfaction by the Globe and Mail (the leading national daily newspaper in Canada) in its annual university report card. See 2008 results summarized at: http://communications.uwo.ca/com/western_news/stories/canadian_universit... Jason I. Gerhard, Ph.D., P.Eng. Canada Research Chair in Geoenvironmental Restoration Engineering Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering The University of Western Ontario Spencer Engineering Building, Rm. 3029 London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B9 Phone: (519) 661-4154 Fax: (519) 661-3942 Email: jgerhard@eng.uwo.ca http://www.eng.uwo.ca/research/restore/