POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (PostDoc_NePMtune_1)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOB

Job location:  ICRA – Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona (Spain)

Number of positions available: 1

Expected start: 01/02/2023

Temporal Position. The position is for 12 months (with possibilities of extension)

Gross Annual Salary package: 24.000 € - 29.899 € (based on the merits).

The present call and the contracting is subject to obtaining the Project Final Resolution and the availability of economic funds and the effective start of the Project.

OFFER DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a post-doctoral researcher with expertise in physico-chemical water treatment methods applied for the removal of persistent organic and/or inorganic contaminants, in the scope of the project NEPMTUNE “Towards water circular economy protection from the threat caused by persistent, mobile and toxic chemicals. This postdoc will conduct further development and optimization of graphene sponge electrodes, recently developed and patent-protected by ICRA, for the removal of PMTs such as highly persistent, low molecular weight per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)”. Experience with electrochemical (EC) treatment systems and/or nanostructured material synthesis and characterization will be highly regarded. 

The overall goal of NEPMTUNE is to gain a significant and comprehensive knowledge of the sources, fate and risks posed by persistent, mobile and toxic chemicals - PMTs, in the water cycle, while providing tools for their removal and management, bearing in mind the increased demands for water reuse in the current climate change scenario. Besides providing digital tools for the management of the risk posed by PMTs, the project will deliver innovative technologies for their removal from different contaminated water matrices, and an effective transfer of those technologies to public and industry stakeholders. ICRA is (i) leading the development and testing of the most promising technologies for the removal of PMTs, their optimization and testing, and (ii) leading the adaptation of the existing digital tools to case studies of PMTs in Catalan river basins, to assist in the planning of water-treatment facilities. ICRA is also in charge of implementing novel analytical methods for the analyses of PMTs in water.

KEY DUTIES

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher in the field of environmental engineering, environmental sciences or sustainability. The selected research fellow will work together towards a common goal of development of a sustainable technology for chemical-free, decentralized treatment of water contaminated with PMTs. The project offers an opportunity for collaboration with other ongoing projects focused on the implementation of NBS and EC systems, including interaction with various stakeholders, attending meetings, conferences and workshops.

Other duties for this position include:

• Participation in project meetings and preparation of project reports.
• Elaboration of research articles targeting high-impact peer reviewed journals.
• Collaboration in experimental campaigns in Catalan River Basins.
• Participation in national and international conferences.
• As with all PhD students and postdoctoral fellows a small proportion of the time will be allocated to communal services such as joint laboratory cleanings, etc.