Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
Postdoctoral Researcher on the microbiology of decentralized non-potable water reuse (m/f/d)
Project backgroundThis position is part of the project "Co-Creating Onsite Water Reuse Solutions that Work - Bengaluru as a Real-World Laboratory for Transforming Urban Water Management (
WaterReuseLab). The overall goal of the project is to identify successful conditions for developing and mainstreaming a new generation of decentralized water treatment and reuse systems (configurations of technologies, business models, governance arrangement, standards, etc.). The project involves assessing available technology in Bengaluru and developing technology innovations that allow for more reliable, acceptable, affordable, and scalable solutions. The overall project includes four work packages with foci on technology, acceptance, business, and governance. The project combines researchers from four Eawag research departments (Process Engineering, Environmental Social Sciences, Department Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development, and Environmental Microbiology) and WELL (Water, Environment, Land and Livelihoods) Labs that is part of IFMR (Graduate School of Business) in Bengaluru, India. The current position is part of the work package on technology.
Job descriptionThe Postdoctoral Researcher will focus on assessing microbial quality (including pathogen detection), microbial risks, and overall performance of decentralized non-potable water reuse systems in Bengaluru. This research will determine actual pathogen loads and load dynamics in wastewater from apartment complexes and throughout the treatment train. Results from this assessment will be key input for a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) and in turn for advancing the performance of current treatment systems in Bengaluru. The Postdoctoral Researcher will further develop online monitoring approaches that allow for assessing overall system operation, status of disinfection, and/or microbial quality. For this, online monitoring will be installed in selected treatment systems and will complement direct sampling. The work package on technology includes a Postdoctoral Researcher and a PhD student where the Postdoctoral Researcher will focus on monitoring microbial quality and associated hygiene and the PhD student will focus on treatment with obvious synergies between these aspects. This position will be located in the Process Engineering Department and will be led by Dr Eberhard Morgenroth. The work will be performed in close collaboration with Dr Tim Julian in the Environmental Microbiology Department.
The successful and highly motivated candidate holds a PhD in environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, microbiology, environmental sciences, or similar. Strong English communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams are essential qualities for this position. Experience and interest in molecular approaches to quantity pathogenic vi-ruses, bacteria, and protozoa are advantageous. The candidate must be willing to travel to Bengaluru as part of the research.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications received by
4 September 2023, are guaranteed full consideration. Applications after this date will be considered until the position is filled. The application must include a cover letter, a CV, contact information for three references, diplomas, and transcripts. The current position is for 24 months.
Eawag is a modern employer and offers an excellent working environment where staff can contribute their strengths, experience and ways of thinking. We promote gender equality and are committed to staff diversity and inclusion. The compatibility of career and family is of central importance to us. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult
www.eawag.ch and
www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
For further information, please contact
Dr Eberhard Morgenroth.
We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.