UK - University of Edinburgh PhD Studentship in Integrated Constructed Wetlands to Treat Domestic Wastewater
November 21st, 2007
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PhD Studentship in Wetlands
Integrated Constructed Wetlands to Treat Domestic Wastewater
Institute for Infrastructure and Environment (The University of Edinburgh, Scotland) in collaboration with Monaghan County Council (Ireland) and the Integrated Constructed Wetland Initiative
A full PhD scholarship is available for a very good candidate (UK, EU or Overseas) with a background in civil and environmental engineering, environmental science, applied microbiology, ecology or equivalent, interested in carrying out experimental research of physical, biological and chemical processes occurring in wetlands treating domestic wastewater, and undertaking subsequently corresponding statistical data analysis and computer modelling studies. Work experience in academia, relevant industries and/or local authorities would be beneficial.
Research Project Summary
Integrated constructed wetlands (ICW) have been designed successfully to treat farmyard runoff following best management practice. They are popular because of their low capital and operational costs, high treatment efficiency, optimal integration into the landscape, and ecosystem and biodiversity enhancement benefits, and excellent compliance with socio-economic and sustainable needs. However, the application of ICW as the main treatment unit for large-scale domestic wastewater treatment plants is novel, and concerns need to be addressed that these ICW do not pollute groundwater and receiving watercourses.
Treatment wetland systems are currently designed based on past empirical observations. There is a clear need for a decision support tool for the design and operation of ICW treating domestic wastewater incorporating standard engineering and microbiological variables. This can be achieved by incorporating microbiological parameter into novel engineering decision support methodologies.
Domestic wastewaters contain high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, which contribute to water resource management problems. It has long been recognized that certain microbial groups are responsible for breaking down specific organic compounds. However, no research has been done on the functional composition of the different bacterial groups in ICW responsible for domestic wastewater treatment. Moreover, the retrieval and potential recycling of organic residue including detritus as a potential
fertilizer requires further research.
The application of microbiological techniques will assist in, for example, measuring the potential oxidation of ammonia-nitrogen within ICW before entering groundwater or receiving surface waters. This project will lead to the identification of the key biochemical processes within ICW treating domestic wastewater, which are important for a better understanding of spatial and temporal nitrogen and phosphorus transformation processes.
A comprehensive statistical data analysis will be performed before predictive modelling. A neuro-fuzzy modelling approach is likely to be used to gain insight into the processes within ICW in space and time, and will be applied to assess the overall system performance.
The research will be integrated into a working sewage treatment plant. It follows that the main focus of the research will be to optimise the plant performance resulting very much into an applied research project with strong engineering focus.
Study Location
The candidate is expected to work predominantly at two locations: Monaghan County Council, Monaghan, Ireland; The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. The student will spend approximately the first two and the last twelve months of his or her PhD in Edinburgh. The remaining time will predominantly be spent in Monaghan.
Candidate and Supervision
The successful candidate will have a 1st or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject and will ideally have a proven commitment to working in field and laboratory environments. The exact focus of the PhD will be negotiated in accordance with the background, interests and skills of the successful candidate.
The School of Engineering and Electronics is an excellent host to PhD candidates offering access to a vast range of courses in career development for students available free of charge. Candidates with an interest in wetlands, excited by working in a strong research environment, and having willingness to learn despite of having potentially different previous experiences, are encouraged to apply.
The candidate will receive supervision and guidance from an experienced urban water and wetland research team. The lead academic supervisor will be Dr Miklas Scholz (The University of Edinburgh), and the external supervisor will be Dr Rory Harrington (Irish Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government). The student will also report to a representative from Monaghan County Council.
Application Procedure
Monaghan County Council will fund one full PhD scholarship covering student maintenance, project consumables and equipment, travel costs, and bench and postgraduate registration fees available to UK, EU and international students. The exact amount (between £58 and £85k) of the scholarship will be subject to the fee status and needs of the candidate.
The PhD studentship will be awarded for three years. No deadline for applications has been set. The search for a suitable candidate will continue as long as necessary. However, it is anticipated that the official start date is likely to be around 1 March 2008, but an early start will be encouraged. Interested candidates are invited to submit a full application to the School of Engineering and Electronics at http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/. The application should include the following documents:
- comprehensive cover letter
- full application form
- at least two references
- English language certificates (if English is not the native language)
- project proposal (two pages including references; outline of the candidate’s research input based on interests and skills).
Informal enquiries before submission of the full application are encouraged. For additional information, please contact
Dr Miklas Scholz
Senior Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering
School of Engineering and Electronics
The University of Edinburgh
William Rankine Building
The King’s Buildings, EH9 3JL
Scotland
United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)131 650 6780
Fax +44 (0)131 650 6554
E-mail m.scholz@ed.ac.uk
See also http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/IIE/research for information concerning research supported by the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment.
Tags: beasiswa luar negri, doctoral, engineering, environment, environmental science, graduate, phd, postgraduate, studentship, united kingdom, university of edinburghEntry Filed under: United Kingdom
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