Graduate

Graduate Student

I am looking for a Ph.D. (preferred) or MS student interested in performing oil and gas produced water treatment. The immediate project will focus on characterizing and optimizing the performance of an integrated softening/microfiltration process for treating produced water. The research assistantship will involve working in a wet lab, designing bench and pilot-scale tests, using and interpreting advanced analytical results (SEM, AFM, TEM, FTIR), and model development so experience in these areas will be helpful but is not required. I am specifically interested in candidates with experience in designing/constructing experimental systems, nanoparticle synthesis, and membrane characterization/modeling. Experience and comfort with managing other graduate students is highly desirable. 

 The appointment includes tuition, stipend, and health benefits. Applicants should have a strong academic record and excellent English communication skills. Highly motivated candidates with a BS or MS in materials science, civil, environmental, or chemical engineering, or closely related discipline are encouraged to apply. 

 Please send writing samples, your CV with the names and contact information of two academic references to Dr. Jonathan Brant by email at jbrant1@uwyo.edu. Additional information on the University of Wyoming may be found at www.uwyo.edu. 


Environmental Engineering - Membrane technology for oil-water separation

Research assistantship is available for a Ph.D. student with an interest in nanotechnology and membrane science to work on the development of membrane–based technologies for oil-water separation.

Applications are welcomed from students with Bachelor or (preferably) Masters degrees in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering or a related discipline. Previous research experience in membrane separations is desirable. Full-time tuition and health insurance will be covered as a part of the appointment. The position is available immediately and will remain open until filled.

Interested applicants are invited to submit CV, TOEFL scores (if applicable), GRE scores and names of three references by email to Dr. Vlad Tarabara (tarabara@msu.edu, http://www.egr.msu.edu/~tarabara/).

Transient Monitoring and Mitigation

Applications are invited for a research position to work in the world leading Pennine Water Group on a new project, with Yorkshire Water. The project will investigate the frequency and magnitude of transient pressures (water hammer) in water distribution systems. This will be undertaken by an ambitious and comprehensive field study programme using new high speed instrumentation. In addition this project will study and characterise a potential transient mitigation technology both in the field and in the unique hydraulic laboratories at Sheffield. By investigating the presence and effect of transients this project aims to make a significant contribution to ensuring safe and secure water supplies for the future. In addition to the experimental and field work undertaken for this project, the successful candidate will be encouraged to get involved with the wider activities of the Pennine Water Group and to take advantage of our excellent links with national and international collaborators and the wider water industry.

The position is initially available for 15 months and is open to either grade 6 or grade 7 level experience, with the primary selection criteria being ability and enthusiasm for experimental hydraulic study. If an appointment is made at grade 6 level the candidate will be eligible to enrol part time for MPhil study with the potential to continue to PhD.

Experimental Hydraulics

The successful applicant will work in the world leading Pennine Water Group hydraulic laboratories at the University of Sheffield (www.shef.ac.uk/pwg). The role will centre on an ambitious programme of experimental studies into hydraulic transient in pressurised water pipelines (water distribution networks). This will include their behaviours, impacts on and interactions with pipe infrastructure (in particular leakage apertures) and investigations into novel mitigation technologies. Use will be made of the Contaminant Ingress into Distribution systems transients experimental facility (www.contaminant-ingress.co.uk), including undertaking further experiments aligned with this project. Hydraulic transients are a growth area for the group with extensive future work planned. In addition to experimental work the successful candidate will be encouraged to interact with international collaborators (in particular North America and Italy) and to take an active role in engaging with the water industry and the wider Penine Water Group.

The primary selection criteria are the ability, experience and enthusiasm for experimental hydraulic study. Applicants should have a first degree in a relevant area (or equivalent experience). A PhD (or equivalent experience) in Civil and Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or in another relevant discipline is essential for applicants appointed at Grade 7. If appointment is made at grade 6 level the candidate will be eligible to enrol to study part time for MPhil with the potential to continue to PhD. Experience in planning, conducting, analysing and reporting experiments in a complex engineering context is essential.

Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology

Two graduate research positions are available in the field of environmental biotechnology at the University of New Mexico. The first will start in Spring 2012, and will focus on genetic analyses of microbial populations in a full scale wastewater treatment plant in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory. The second will start in Fall 2012, and will focus on harvesting energy from wastewater using microbial fuel cells. Applications are invited for M.S. or Ph.D. positions. Applicants with B.S. or M.S. degrees in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering are preferred, along with communication skills and a demonstrated record of academic excellence. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, UNM is the flagship research university for the State of New Mexico, with access to rich cultural and recreational resources, as well as collaborative opportunities with nearby Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Andrew Schuler (schuler@unm.edu, http://www.unm.edu/~schuler/).

PhD Fellowship: Water Infrastructure Management in a Changing Climate

Doctoral Research Assistantship in Sustainability Science focused on Adaptation Strategies and Water Infrastructure Management in a Changing Climate

Maine offers unprecedented opportunities for graduate students to experience a truly interdisciplinary learning experience through a $20 million, 5-year program funded by the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR program. The SSI’s mission is to create an integrative research program and strong stakeholder partnerships to generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine.

One SSI project is an interdisciplinary research program focused on Climate Adaptation Strategies for Coastal Communities in Maine: Water Infrastructure and Governance. We seek a Science/Engineering doctoral research assistant interested in working on sustainability science research focused on understanding how to develop integrative solutions to inform adaptation strategies, focused on water infrastructure (such as, culverts and reservoirs). Key tenets of the novel research approach involve an appropriate recognition of climate variability and change, water infrastructure design and management, and decision-processes. Some key research areas on this project are: (1) retrospective and simulation-based assessment of the changes in extreme hydroclimatic events, (2) computational methods to downscale climate projections and develop databases to support hydroclimatic modeling at watershed scales, (3) coupled watershed and hydraulic design methodolgies using multimodel climate simulations, and (4) effective linking of scientific knowledge with the network of governance, with due recognition to the elicitation of knowledge to support infrastructure management strategies. This research is ongoing and a student is needed immediately.

Qualifications:
A degree (preference given to individuals with a Master’s) in engineering and applied sciences, or mathematics; excellent GPA and GRE scores; strong communication and writing skills; computer programming experience, and the ability to work collaboratively with a large and diverse group of researchers and stakeholders. Candidates should also have some experience collecting and analyzing social science data. Some background in a natural science is preferred, but not required. Support includes a stipend of $22,500/year, a tuition waiver, subsidy for health insurance, and funds for field research.

Application Procedures:
Please submit the following information to Shaleen Jain, Assistant Professor, University of Maine, shaleen.jain@maine.edu with subject line “SSI Coastal Adaptation Research Assistantship.”
A letter detailing your interest in this position specifically and the goals of the SSI in general;
A resume;
Scanned GRE scores and transcripts; and
Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references familiar with your academic and research history.

Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Environmental Engineering-Environmental Systems Analysis

Interested parties are invited to apply to pursue a postgraduate degree under the supervision of Dr. Tze Ling Ng in the area of Environmental Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Successful applicants will conduct research and undertake coursework leading to a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental Engineering or Civil Engineering. Positions are available starting Spring or Fall 2012. The research to be carried out will be on Environmental Systems Analysis. Environmental Systems Analysis is a multi-disciplinary field incorporating elements of environmental science and engineering, statistics, economics, public policy, operations research and other areas to provide a holistic approach to modeling and understanding complex environmental problems. This is to enable the solution of these problems in the most cost-efficient and sustainable manner. Potential directions for research include further examination of the water-energy nexus in an urban environment, the potential for algae biofuel in a land-scarce environment such as Hong Kong, and the tradeoffs between water supply reliability and cost of energy considering climate change. There is also potential for other research directions depending on future opportunities and the student’s research interests. HKUST is a leading research university with an international body of students and faculty. It is among the top ten universities in Asia and is the 20th top engineering and technology university in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2010. In the field of environmental studies, HKUST is also one of the most active with a large and active group of researchers from multiple disciplines. Applicants with strong interest in optimization and uncertainty analysis methods, and basic (or higher) computer programming skills are especially encouraged to apply. The ideal applicant should be self-motivated with adequate English writing and communication skills. Full financial support is available for qualified applicants. Applications including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and the names and contact details of two references should be sent by email to Dr. Tze Ling Ng at tzeling@ust.hk. Review of applications will begin on 10 October 2011 and will continue until all vacancies have been filled. For more information, please contact: Dr. Tze Ling Ng Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Email: tzeling@ust.hk Phone: + (852) 2358 5974

Fate and transport of mineral nanoparticles in aquatic systems

Graduate Research Opportunity Baylor University Baylor University, anticipates a graduate researcher position starting January 2012. The graduate student will work with Dr. Bill Hockaday (analytical/organic geochemistry) and Dr. Boris Lau (nanogeoscience) studying the fate and transport of mineral nanoparticles in aquatic systems. Highly motivated candidates with a BS/MS degree in relevant science and/or engineering disciplines will be considered. Successful applicants must possess excellent English communication skills. Qualified applicant will be funded with competitive stipend, benefits, and travel support to attend professional meetings. Review of applicants will continue until the position is filled. However, full consideration will be given to those applications submitted by September 30, 2011. Baylor University is a private university located in Waco, Texas. Chartered in 1845, it is the oldest university in Texas. Ranked among the top 100 national universities, the University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as research university with high research activity. It provides access and training to state-of-the art research facilities situated in the newly opened $103 million Baylor Sciences Building (www.baylor.edu/bsb). Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their CVs to Dr. Boris Lau (boris_lau@baylor.edu) and/or Dr. Bill Hockaday (william_hockaday@baylor.edu). Please use “Lau-Hockaday Research Opportunities” in the subject line. Baylor is a Baptist university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Baylor encourages minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Membrane science and technology for water treatment and reuse

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maryland at College Park seeks applications for one PhD-level graduate student position for a recently funded NSF project, which focuses on novel use of nanomaterials to improve membrane performance for better water treatment and reuse. Applicants should have an educational background in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, materials sciences, or a closely related field. Hands-on experiences in membrane processes, thin-film synthesis, and/or nanomaterials are preferred but not required. A full financial support will be provided for the successful candidate. Self-motivated, dedicated students are encouraged to contact Dr. Baoxia Mi (bmi@umd.edu) by sending a resume along with a brief research statement. For general graduate admissions requirements, please visit http://www.civil.umd.edu/grad/admissions.html

PhD fellowships Microbial Ecology/Environmental Biotechnology

2 PHD FELLOWSHIPS IN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK Applicants are sought for 2 PhD fellowships in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark. Ph.D. fellowship 1: Resistance gene flow in soil microbial communities The overall goal of this PhD project is to quantify the incidence of extant horizontal gene flow in soil microbial communities. This fellowship is supported by the Center for Environmental and Agricultural Microbiology (CREAM) www.cream.life.ku.dk ) funded by the VKR foundation. Ph.D. fellowship 2: Characterization and enhancement of microbial processes in groundwater extraction wells The overall goal of this PhD project is to explore whether we can successfully control microbial communities and processes in groundwater extraction wells to attain trace pollutant removal. This fellowship is supported by the project Microbial Remediation of Soils and Waters (MIRESOWA) (www.miresowa.dk) funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research (DSF). Qualifications The Ph.D. fellow will be enterprising and possess good interpersonal skills. The candidate will have a high motivation for research and solid written and oral communication skills. The applicants will enjoy working in and contributing to an international and cross-disciplinary research team. English is the operational language of the department. Candidates for the PhD scholarships should have a MSc degree in engineering or natural sciences (Environmental-Biochemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Microbial Ecology or related discipline) or a similar degree with at academic level equivalent to the MSc degree, and significant exposure to one or more of the following fields: basic molecular microbiology; microbial ecology; mathematical modeling and computational analysis applied to environmental/microbial systems; bioinformatics, bioreactor technology. Approval and Enrollment The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programs of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which can be found here: DTU PhD Guide. Terms of employment The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years with a start of Aug 15, 2011 or as soon as possible. Contact Further information may be obtained from Prof. Barth F. Smets (bfsm@env.dtu.dk, fellowship 1, 2) or Prof. Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen (hana@env.dtu.dk, fellowship 2) Do NOT send complete applications to these e-mails, but use the electronic submission system – to be found at http://www.dtu.dk/Om_DTU/ledige_stillinger.aspx?&inst=55004755. You can read more about DTU Environment at www.env.dtu.dk/English.aspx. Application Online applications are due no later than July 25, 2011 at 12.00 noon. Open the link "apply online" fill out the form and attach the following documents: • A cover letter supporting your application, 1 page max. • A personal statement describing research expertise and interests • A curriculum vitae providing relevant academic, employment and personal details • Authorized academic transcripts and copies of master thesis or scientific publications • Contact details for two referees • Documentation of English language competence. All qualified candidates irrespective of gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.