PhD post available at Trinity College in connection with an EPA funded research project on the impacts of domestic wastewater treatment systems on private wells

Trinity College Dublin

Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering

PhD studentship

THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS ON PRIVATE WELLS

A PhD researcher is sought for a 3 year EPA-funded project to evaluate the impact of pollutants from domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) on private wells. The main pollutants to be studied are microbial pathogens and phosphorus. The research will be carried out within areas classified as having extreme groundwater vulnerability, and also sites with low permeability subsoils. The researcher will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team which will also be evaluating the impact of DWWTS on river water quality, as well as trying to identify an appropriate fingerprinting technique in order to track such on-site effluent contamination in both surface and groundwater.

An outstanding student with an interest in hydrogeology including pollutant attenuation mechanisms in both the vadose zone and groundwater environment is required. Applicants should have a strong motivation and be able to demonstrate ability in both field work and numerical modelling. In addition, the successful applicant will be required to liaise with the EPA, Local Authorities and landowners and will need good communication skills. Applicants should preferably possess a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering or Earth Science. A Masters level qualification in Hydrogeology would also be desirable. The researcher will be based within the Environmental Engineering Research Group of the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. The PhD studentship covers academic fees (EU level) and subsistence of €14,000 per annum. The studentship is due to start in September 2013.

Interested candidates should send a 3-page CV and covering letter to the contact address below. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 26^th April 2013.

Bruce Misstear

Associate Professor

Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering

Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

Email: bmisster@tcd.ie

Telephone +353-1-8962800

Contact for more information

Truong Thi Anh Tuyet
Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment
Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam
Email: truongthianhtuyet@tuaf.edu.vn
truongtuyet87@gmail.com
Mobile: +84 916938087