Conventional activated sludge processes in municipal wastewater treatment plants are typically not geared towards recycling treated wastewater or recovering valuable materials from it. However, this project seeks to change that by developing a national testbed model. This model will be designed to construct, assess, and validate advanced (bio)electrochemical technologies for wastewater recycling and recovering valuable materials.
The University of Cincinnati collaborates as a partner institution with the NSF Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine (https://new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines/portfolio/great-lakes-water-innovation-engine). This innovation engine is strategically located within an ecoregion containing 90% of the freshwater resources in the United States. The system provides clean drinking water to forty million residents across the United States and Canada. Through robust partnerships spanning academia, government, industry, and utilities, the NSF Engine aims to establish intelligent water resource recovery system testbeds at various scales (including bench, pilot, and full) to demonstrate, integrate, and deploy innovative technologies. These efforts support sustainable water-intensive industries within the region, fostering growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Over the first two years, Dr. Chae's team at the University of Cincinnati will primarily concentrate on deploying a cutting-edge membrane-based bioelectrochemical technology designed for wastewater recycling. Concurrently, they will endeavor to extract nutrients, with a particular emphasis on nitrogen and phosphorus, from the treated wastewater, exploring their potential application in agriculture.
Job Description
1. Design and execute experiments related to the research topic
2. Write technical reports and scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals
3. Assist in writing grant proposals to achieve funding goals for future research
4. Train graduate students on experimental methods
Required Qualifications
1. Applicants should have a Ph.D. (or expect to finish their Ph.D. shortly) in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline
2. Strong research history in a field or fields related
3. Demonstrated practical written and oral communication skills
4. Ability to train graduate students with necessary experimental skills
5. Independent work capability with minimal supervision and direction
Contract Conditions and Benefits
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2024
The appointment is for 18 months (start date is flexible) with a possibility of an extension, contingent on performance and fund availability.
Annual salary: $52,000 accompanied by additional benefits such as health insurance.
https://www.uc.edu/employees/hr/benefits/full-tme-staff-visiting-faculty.html
How to apply
To apply, please email the designated contact with the following documents: (1) a cover letter detailing your research experience, qualifications, and interest in the position, (2) a Curriculum Vitae (CV) containing a list of publications, and (3) a list of three references, including their names, affiliations, and complete contact details.
Candidates will be assessed based on (i) their research experience, as demonstrated in the resume and cover letter, (ii) previous research publications and/or patent applications, and (iii) references. Applications will be reviewed promptly and considered until the position is filled.
Contact
Dr. Soryong R. Chae (E chagesg@ucmail.uc.edu; W https://mystudy4livingwater.org/)