Three PhD students in urban water ( Sweden )

Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden seeks to employ three PhD students. The PhD positions are suitable for civil and environmental engineers, hydrologists, environmental chemists and equivalent.

Position 1: Stormwater treatment by bioretention systemsUrban stormwater is contaminated and often conveyed without any treatment to its recipient thus releasing substantial pollutant loads into the environment. Thus there is an urgent need to develop and refine technologies for stormwater quality treatment. Stormwater nginbioretention systems (also known as rain gardens) consisting of vegetated filter media in a trench/basin are one common technology to treat stormwater using mechanical, biological and chemical processes in the filter media and on the plant roots. The PhD student will investigate how various ambient environmental conditions influence the processes in the filter and thus the treatment performance of bioretention systems. The aim is to enable a more widespread implementation and reliable function of the systems under varying ambient conditions. The work will contain both laboratory and field trials. The work will be conducted at Luleå University of Technology; but possibly some time can be spent at one of our collaboration universities. Further information about the proposed research project and the research area of bioretention is available under: www.ltu.se/shb/raingarden (in English and Swedish). Position 2: Sewer network - function and processesSewer networks are important components of the sewer systems. Even though the network has a very high financial value, often the renewal rate is far below the required. Thus corrosion, groundwater in-leakage, sewer overflows, fat accumulation and root intrusion are common problems in sewer pipes implying e.g. pollution of recipients and ineffective resource management. In this project it will be investigated how these problems affect the function of the sewer in relation to e.g. the wastewater and sludge quantity and quality and how operation and maintenance routines can be improved to achieve a more sustainable system. Position 3: Modeling of snow melting in urban environments -In this project models of snow melting in urban environments will be developed. The urban hydrology will change and become more complex in areas where precipitation falls as snow during part of the year. During this period, contaminants will be accumulated in the snow pack and then transported by melt water. An improved modeling of snow melting in urban areas is necessary to estimate the quantity of melt water runoff and assess the long-term contamination load being released during snow melt run off.   -To be a doctoral candidate-To be a PhD student means four years of education at research level ending with a PhD degree. The position is a salaried employment with the right to social benefits and paid vacations.  We seek candidates with a MSc/civ.ing. degree or other advanced degree or fully completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS, of which at least 60 ECTS are at an advanced level or equivalent knowledge. English language skills are required, Swedish language skills are not required but beneficial. Gender equality is strived for during the hiring of doctoral positions. -The Urban Water research group The Urban Water research group has a strong position regarding research and education within the area of urban water systems mainly concerning the areas of stormwater, wastewater and sewer systems. The groups overall aim is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban water systems. Being part of the Urban Water group implies working in an international and creative environment. The group consists of a number of senior researchers and about ten doctoral candidates. The group has an extensive international collaboration network. -Information-Information on the PhD positions can be obtained from: Ass. Prof. Godecke Blecken, godble@ltu.se, +46 730 483549 (german speaking) or Prof. Maria Viklander, marvik@ltu.se, +46 70 3301486. -Applications-Your application marked with reference number 239-2011, must have arrived to LTU at the latest 2011-03-06. Applications may be sent electronically to registrator@ltu.se or to Luleå University of Technology, Registrator, SE- 971 87 Luleå, Sweden