Job Type
Graduate
Job Institution
University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada
Job Description
The Bioreactor Technology Group (BTG) Laboratory in the Faculty of Applied Science's School of Engineering at UBC's Okanagan campus has Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Assistant positions available with a start date of January 2024 or earlier (for local candidates). The successful candidates will join the BTG group led by Dr. Cigdem Eskicioglu ( ), to conduct research in the areas of advanced waste treatment processes for more efficient contaminant removal, energy production, resource recovery and mitigation of trace contaminants of emerging concern (TCEC), such as micropollutants and microplastics.
BTG is a very dynamic, multicultural, multidisciplinary and gender equal research group, comprised of approximately 20 members including graduate students and support staff members. BTG operates four state-of the-art laboratory facilities (i.e., Advanced Anaerobic Digestion, Particle Sizing/Imaging, Thermochemical Biomass Processing and TCEC Detection) at UBC's Okanagan Campus ( ). The location provides students with an outstanding campus experience in the beautiful city of Kelowna, next to the stunning shores of Lake Okanagan, and situated between the incredible Rocky Mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean. The ongoing Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)/Metro Vancouver Senior Industrial Research Chair Program (IRC) in Advanced Resource Recovery from Wastewater (NSERC - Chairholder Profile (nserc-crsng.gc.ca)) builds on a long-term and successful collaboration between BTG and Metro Vancouver and has the ultimate goals of reducing operational risks and intensifying resource recovery from wastewater for creating new circular economics for waste utilities in Canada and beyond.
Research Area of Priority
In the NSERC/Metro Vancouver research chair program, two novel wastewater sludge conversion themes are researched in parallel: thermochemical sludge conversion through hydrothermal liquefaction, and biochemical sludge conversion through bioaugmented anaerobic digestion. As the global trend toward creating a circular economy increases, particular attention is paid to resource recovery from the product streams of the hydrothermal sludge liquefaction process (i.e., phosphorous, ammonia, biomethane and biohydrogen production) and integration of the novel wastewater sludge processes to wastewater treatment plants safely. Another search area is to study the fate of microplastics in wastewater sludge processes. There could be other research projects for recruitment depending on the interest and background of the successful candidates and the group's research needs at the time of onboarding.
The projects will involve working with several academic partners and water and wastewater utilities to support the research needs by developing methods/procedures/processes to identify, quantify and remove micro- and macro-pollutants and degradation by-products in a variety of sample matrices. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop their research ideas within project goals and will be encouraged to be actively engaged in collaborative and multidisciplinary research.
Motivated candidates with a Bachelor's and Master's in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, civil engineering, analytical environmental chemistry, or a related field are encouraged to apply. Candidates with strong organization and communication skills who enjoy hands-on laboratory research, and are keen to work at the chemistry/biology interface are highly desired. Working knowledge of hydrothermal liquefaction and bioreactor design/operation is a plus. The candidates should demonstrate an ability to conduct creative/quality research, a strong commitment to teamwork, and the ability to disseminate the knowledge in scientific literature.
Applicants must also meet the English proficiency requirements and other requirements for admission to the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus.
How to Apply
Applicants should provide curriculum vitae, proof of Bachelor's and/or Masters's degrees, academic transcripts, a list of three referees, and a motivation letter to [email protected] . Applications will be considered until suitable candidates have been found.
Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
#J-18808-Ljbffr