Graduate

Phisicochemical and Biological Processes

The University of Nevada, Reno Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is seeking two highly motivated Ph.D students for a water reuse research project supported by a Federal agency. The project combines emerging membrane processes with biological treatment and involves design, construction, and testing of novel hybrid systems for potable water reuse. One Ph.D. student will be responsible for the physicochemical aspect of the project and one will be responsible for the biological aspect of the project; however, both students require general knowledge and interest in both areas. Candidates with a BS or MS in environmental, chemical, or mechanical engineering, or other related disciplines are encouraged to apply. Knowledge and hands-on experience in biological or physical/chemical processes, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics are strongly desired. The candidate must have a good command of oral and written English. The desired start date is summer 2012. To apply, please send a current CV, a cover letter describing your experience, and the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three references to Amy Childress (amyec@unr.edu) (physicochemical processes) or Eric Marchand (marchand@unr.edu) (biological processes).
More information on the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering can be found at http://www.unr.edu/cee/. University of Nevada Reno is located in Reno, NV, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, just 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe, and offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as backpacking, hiking, climbing, camping, cycling, biking, and skiing.

Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization

I am looking for a Ph.D. level graduate student to start July 1, 2012. The research focus for this position will be the synthesis and characterization of magnetic nano-adsorbents for the recovery of dissolved metals from wastewater streams. Experience with nanoparticle synthesis, characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, etc.) and interfacial modeling is highly desired. Interest in membrane processes (MF, UF, NF, and RO) is also desirable, but not required. The overall objective of this research project will be the development of magnetic nano-adsorbents for selectively recovering dissolved metals, nutrients and biological contaminants from various wastewater streams, including RO concentrate, municipal wastewater and oil and natural gas produced water streams. The graduate student will be responsible for identifying suitable surface coatings for optimizing process performance, synthesizing coated nanoparticles, characterizing their behavior in complex media, measuring the adsorption capacity of said materials, and developing an integrated adsorption/recovery/sorbent regeneration system. 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, a copy of 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 and Dr. Brant’s research group may be found at http://www.eng.uwyo.edu/civil/faculty/brant.html.

PhD Position - Well Clogging

PhD Position - Well Clogging The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) is looking for a PhD student to quantify clogging and its management during Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) operations. The position will be based in Adelaide, and enrolled through Flinders University. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is the process of adding a water source such as treated wastewater to aquifers under controlled conditions for withdrawal at a later date. It may also be used as a barrier to prevent saltwater or other contaminants from entering the aquifer or to prevent or reverse of water table drawdown. Water can be recharged by a number of methods including infiltration via basins or galleries or by the use of injection wells. The single most important cause for operational failures of MAR systems is the decrease of permeability that results from clogging of pores in porous media. Causes of clogging include rearrangement and entrapment of particulates in pore throats, biofilm growth, geochemical reactions, gas entrainment, and combinations of these processes. This PhD project aims to obtain fundamental insights into the underlying mechanisms that control clogging and to design diagnostics and operational procedures for broad application of MAR. The research will involve new theory developments and modelling studies, lab experiments, and field studies over a range of environmental conditions. The aim is to achieve a reliable characterisation of aquifer material, recharge water and native groundwater quality to predict and minimise the potential for clogging. This research is embedded in a larger project studying the impacts of injection of water into aquifers. Applications are encouraged from Australian and international students. NCGRT scholarships may be offered as stand-alone scholarships or as supplements to APA or Endeavour Scholarships. NCGRT will supplement APA or Endeavour scholarships to a level of up to $39,375 per year. Stand-alone scholarships of up to $30,000 per year are also available. For further information, please contact Saeed.Torkzaban@csiro.au. To apply, please send a cover letter, CV and the names and addresses of three referees to Anna Bonnes (anna.bonnes@flinders.edu.au). Applications should be received by 27 April 2012.

PhD Position - Virus and Bacteria Transport

The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) is looking for a PhD student to model the fate and transport of bacteria and viruses in porous media. The position will be based in Adelaide, and enrolled through Flinders University.

Understanding the fate of pathogenic microorganisms is important for managing health risks in aquifer recharge, especially for viruses which are more mobile, persistent and virulent than bacteria. An understanding and ability to predict the transport and deposition of viruses in soils and aquifers requires knowledge of processes and interactions that occur at different spatial and temporal scales. Changes in the water saturation, aqueous chemistry (pH, ionic strength and composition) and solid phase chemistry (mineralogy, cation exchange capacity and adsorbed ions) are known to strongly influence the adhesive interaction of microbes with environmental surfaces. However, existing models that account for these environmental factors are largely empirical and do not attempt to address the fundamental removal mechanisms.

The overall objective of this research is to develop process-based models to more realistically simulate the transport, retention, inactivation/die off, and release of viruses and bacteria in porous media, using bacteriophage as model viruses. A continuum scale flow and geochemical transport model will be modified to simulate the influence of spatially and temporally variable geochemical conditions on microbial particle transport, retention, inactivation, and release. Finally, the developed model will be numerically and experimentally validated and used to examine the influence of transient solution chemistry and transient flow conditions, relevant to managed aquifer recharge operations

Applications are encouraged from Australian and international students. NCGRT scholarships may be offered as stand-alone scholarships or as supplements to APA or Endeavour Scholarships. NCGRT will supplement APA or Endeavour scholarships to a level of up to $39,375 per year. Stand-alone scholarships of up to $30,000 per year are also available.

For further information, please contact Saeed.Torkzaban@csiro.au. To apply, please send a cover letter, CV and the names and addresses of three referees to Anna Bonnes (anna.bonnes@flinders.edu.au).

Applications should be received by 27 April 2012.

PhD student(s) in Environmental Nanotechnology

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is an international, graduate-level research university supported by a multi-billion dollar endowment. With sufficient research funding, state of the art facilities, merit-based compensation scheme, and university leadership’s vision and commitment to make KAUST one of the world's greatest academic institutions, KAUST has attracted a large group of leading scholars. Professor Peng Wang, the principal investigator of Environmental Nanotechnology Laboratory (ENL) at KAUST, is looking for Self-motivated and hard-working PhD students. Applicants with a master degree in material science, chemistry, environmental science, chemical engineering, or related fields are preferred. The general requirements of PhD admission at KAUST can be found at: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/admissions/tokaust/fellowship.html.
Research activities in ENL at KAUST involve (1) development of highly selective and efficient (nano)materials for water purification; (2) photoelectrocatalysis and photocatalysis for water splitting and contaminant destruction; (3) nanotechnology for oil/water separation, oil spill cleanup, and NAPL remediation; (4) microfluidics based micro-reactors and lab-on-a-chip sensors.
More Information about Professor Peng Wang and ENL group can be found at:http://faculty.kaust.edu.sa/sites/pengwang/.

Graduate internships and fellowships

MANHATTAN COLLEGE IS ESTABLISHING A NEW GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Manhattan College has one of the oldest and most renowned Environmental Engineering Master’s Degree Programs in the country. The program offers tuition and stipend support for Master’s Degree students through Graduate Fellowship, Research and Lab Assistantships, and the newly established Graduate Internships. Below is a brief description of the types of support available for 2012: Graduate Internships: This support involves approximately 24 hours/week paid internship at the sponsoring firm/company and tuition support. The internship will last 3 semesters beginning in the first week of September. These internships are sponsored by environmental engineering consulting firms and private companies in the New York City Metropolitan area. Up to 6 graduate internships will be available this coming academic year. Graduate Fellowship: Fellowships involve full-tuition scholarship and monthly stipend for 18-24 months. Students receiving Fellowships are required to work on faculty research for 24 hours/week during school session, and 35 hours per week during Winter Intersession and Summer. Manhattan currently has three endowed Graduate Fellowships available. Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs): GRAs involve full-tuition scholarship and monthly stipend for 18-24 months. Students receiving GRAs work on dedicated research projects with specific faculty members. GRAs work 24 hours/week during school session, and 35 hours per week during Winter Intersession and Summer. The number of available GRA positions depends on research funding in the Department and varies each year. Graduate Laboratory Assistants (GLAs): The Environmental Engineering Program has two (2) GLA positions. The GLA positions include full-tuition scholarship and 10-months of stipend. GLA’s assist faculty with conducting undergraduate and graduate laboratory experiments, and help to support the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department outreach and marketing activities. Part-Time Masters Degree Tuition Support Most engineering firms and companies provide some form of tuition reimbursement for full-time employees pursing graduate degrees full-time. Please contact your Company’s HR department to inquire about tuition reimbursement programs. For those part-time students who work for government agencies, non profit organizations or other employers that do not offer tuition reimbursement, tuition scholarship support is available on a need and merit basis. To inquire about the availability of scholarship support students pursuing their Master’s degree part-time, please contact the Program Director at Robert.Sharp@manhattan.edu. Program Description: The program offers core courses in environmental engineering design and process control, and contemporary courses in water quality modeling, advanced water and wastewater treatment process, experimental analysis, resource management and recovery, environmental sustainability and bioremediation. Benefits of Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environment Engineering at Manhattan College • Attend an internationally recognized program with a reputation for rigorous, technical course work and cutting-edge research. • Attain a degree from a program that that has a proven history of preparing students for successful careers in all areas of Environmental Engineering. • Learn from nationally recognized faculty who are active in research and consulting, and bring real world experience to the classroom. • Take outstanding courses to gain critical knowledge and experience in new and emerging areas of environmental engineering. • Substantially increase your earnings – the potential for over a million dollars of additional earnings over the course of career. • Advance yourself in one of the fastest growing engineering professions. US Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts a 30% increase in Environmental Engineering jobs over the next decade • Acquire greater career flexibility and increased options for employment and career development. An increasing number of employers require a Master’s degree for entry-level employment and/or promotion. • Earn 1-year of experience toward you Professional Engineers license. • Capitalize on the extensive and accomplished program alumni - there are thousands of Manhattan College Environmental Engineering Alumni throughout the New York area and across the US. They are a valuable resource and network for employment and career/professional development. Qualification and Application for Support To qualify for support, you must be accepted into the program as a matriculated full-time student. Outstanding students with Bachelor’s degrees in engineering or science are encouraged to apply. The deadline for students seeking full-time support (Internships, Fellowships, GRAs and GLAs) is April 13, 2012. The deadline for all other applications (Part-time and Full-time w/o Support) is July 27, 2012. For more information and a copy of the graduate application please visit our website or search: Manhattan College Environmental Engineering. http://www.manhattan.edu/academics/engineering/civil-environmental-engin... For more information the Manhattan College Masters Degree Program in Environmental Engineering please contact the Program Direct, Dr. Robert Sharp at Robert.Sharp@manhattan.edu

Ph.D. student

We seek a highly motivated and qualified applicant for a PhD Research Assistantship focusing on phytoaccumulation of antimicrobials in by food crops. The ideal candidate will possess a M.S. in Biosystems, Agricultural, or Environmental Engineering; however, candidates with B.S. or M.S. in environmental or agricultural sciences with modeling and/or engineering experience are also encouraged to apply. Student will have the opportunity to (i) conduct advanced chemical analytical techniques (including mass spectrometry and/or liquid scintillation counting), (ii) conduct laboratory-scale assessment of plant systems, and (iii) develop mechanistic models for environmental fate.

Position starts July or August 2012. Please contact Dr. Dawn Reinhold at reinhold@egr.msu.edu for more information or visit www.msu.edu/~reinho17.

Environmetal Engineering

Ecosystems Laboratory in Civil and Environmental Engineering department at University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea is seeking for MS and PhD students with excellent English communication (written and oral) skills. Research areas include: application of biological and physico-chemical processes for environmental pollution control, practices in industrial ecology and environmental sustainability. Applicants with background in Environmental, Civil or Chemical Engineering can contact Professor Hung-Suck Park (email: parkhs@ulsan.ac.kr) by sending their latest CV with a photograph and a description of research interests. For more information about our research activities, the applicants are requested to visit our homepage: http://home.ulsan.ac.kr/esl. Information regarding the scholarship and other guidelines can be availed at: http://www.niied.go.kr/

Ph.D. student - Biological or Environmental Engineering

We seek a highly motivated and qualified applicant for a PhD Research Assistantship focusing on phytoaccumulation of antimicrobials in by food crops. The ideal candidate will possess a M.S. in Biosystems, Agricultural, or Environmental Engineering; however, candidates with B.S. or M.S. in environmental or agricultural sciences with modeling and/or engineering experience are also encouraged to apply. Student will have the opportunity to (i) conduct advanced chemical analytical techniques (including mass spectrometry and/or liquid scintillation counting), (ii) conduct laboratory-scale assessment of plant systems, and (iii) develop mechanistic models for environmental fate.

Position starts July or August 2012.

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.