Project overview The successful applicant will work as part of the FORward-looking Explorative modelling framework of WAste water management options for Resilient, sustainable Chinese and Dutch waters (FOREWARD). The project aims to address the challenges posed by wastewater pollution from human and agricultural sources, highlighting issues with the current centralized Waste Water Management (WWM) system. This system relies heavily on energy and chemicals, struggles with urbanization and agriculture intensification, lacks climate change adaptation, and is often unaffordable for emerging urban areas. Existing research primarily focuses on domestic or agricultural perspectives, with limited attention to local priorities due to financial constraints. FOREWARD proposes a comprehensive approach to WWM transition, including the development of a multiscale water quality model, advancements in domestic and livestock WWM technologies, economic and environmental assessments, and a forward-looking model-based WWM transition plan involving societal stakeholders. Ultimately, the project aims to inform policymaking by integrating technological and systemic WWM options, conducting life-cycle assessments, and optimizing trade-offs to achieve a sustainable WWM transition.
We seek a PhD candidate to work on Work Package 5 “Prospective life cycle environmental and economic assessment”, where the PhD candidate will be involved in assessing the life cycle environmental and economic impacts of existing and newly developed WWM options with respect to current systems.
Key responsibilities - Developing life cycle inventories for newly developed and best-available WWM technologies, through co-creation with consortium’s technology developers and other stakeholders.
- Conducting environmental impact assessments using prospective life cycle assessment, considering critical changes in background systems as specified in shared socioeconomic pathways.
- Conducting life cycle cost analyses to evaluate economic aspects of future WWM options.
- Conducting independent and collaborative research within the project consortium.
- Working on project deliverables, ensuring timely completion and high-quality contributions.
- Attending and actively participate in project meetings, providing updates on research progress and collaborating with partners.
- Be available for international travel as required by project meetings.
- Communicate findings through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences.