About the position
The Faculty of Science and Technology has a 3-year postdoctoral research fellowship in urban runoff management. The faculty funds this fellowship under the research project “INtegrated BIoretention-Membrane filtration for urban runoff management in cold climate – INBIM”, leveraging the knowledge of process analytics in water treatment, urban hydrology, membrane technology, and resource recovery.
INBIM project aims to lay the groundwork for the optimal design of an integrated process that combines bioretention filtration and membrane separation techniques to effectively remove pollutants from urban runoff in cold climate conditions. The project will entail the characterization of contaminants present in urban snow, the examination of filter media compositions for efficient removal in bioretention cells, and the implementation of membrane separation as a post-treatment method for bioretention effluents.
Urban stormwater and meltwater contain a variety of chemical and microbial pollutants that pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and public health. To address this challenge, cutting-edge technologies such as bioretention systems have been developed to eliminate these contaminants from urban runoff before discharging them into surface water bodies.
Nevertheless, the efficacy of bioretention cells in removing certain ions and dissolved organic matter is limited under low-temperature and high hydraulic loading conditions. Consequently, there is a pressing need to enhance this solution to treat urban runoff in cold climates.
INBIM project will investigate the potential of biochar, a pyrogenic carbonaceous material, as a filtration medium in bioretention cells. Various biochar formulations can be incorporated into biofiltration systems to augment their performance in eliminating pollutants under diverse conditions, including those influenced by cold climate factors. Given that some contaminants are known to permeate bioretention cells, the project will also explore membrane separation as a post-treatment strategy for bioretention effluents.
The fellowship covers 2-year research and 1-year teaching and/or institutional service.
Being primarily affiliated with the group on Analytics in Water Treatment, the postdoctoral fellow will be involved in collaborative research with the groups on Water Transport and Resource Recovery.
Main tasks
The main purpose of the post-doctoral position is to qualify for work in high-level scientific positions. A PhD degree is required to work on the following tasks:
- Conducting research of quality and quantity that contributes substantially to the scientific discipline of Urban Runoff Management and qualifies for advanced academic positions
- Contributing to the collaborative research program on Urban Runoff Management between three research groups: Analytics in Water Treatment, Water Transport, and Resource Recovery
- Advancing water science through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presenting your work at international conferences
- Project management and coordination
- Contributing to research and equipment grant proposals
- Co-supervising and mentoring Master and PhD students
- Balancing 2-year research with 1-year of teaching and institutional service
Competence
Required academic qualifications
- PhD Degree in Environmental Engineering, Urban Hydrology, Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology/Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, or other fields relevant to Urban Runoff Management with a focus on water quality
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Promising publication record
Desired qualifications:
- Research experience in urban runoff, monitoring and treatment of pollutants, including field and laboratory work on water quality aspects
- Engineering experience with the design of Best Management Practices, modelling fate, transport, and treatment of pollutants
- BigData analysis and modelling and use of statistical software like Python, R, MatLab or similar environments
- Project management experience
- Experience with student supervision
- Experience with contributing to grant writing
- Experience with popular science dissemination of research insights
Skills in Norwegian or other Scandinavian languages will be an extra advantage. You also need to be able to work as a multidisciplinary cross-team member.
Remuneration and further information
We offer opportunities for research career development in a dynamic team across three research groups with a broad international network:
- Counselling and active support by co-principal investigators from three research groups
- Mentoring by internal and external scientists
- Rich networking opportunities through the Water Harmony network of 81 research organisations in 51 countries
- Training to acquire academic, technical, and transferable skills, including project management and grant writing
- Facilitated access to research equipment, resources, facilities, fieldwork, and background and results needed for research activities
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow, wage framework 24 (salary grade 59-67) (NOK 575.400-657.300), depending on qualifications. Seniority Promotion in position.
Relocation support for international researchers:
- NMBU supports international researchers with practical arrangements pre-arrival, on arrival, and during stay https://www.nmbu.no/en/employees/international_researchers
- EURAXESS Norway provides information, assistance, and services free of charge to mobile researchers via https://www.euraxess.no/
- Employment at NMBU and residence in Norway longer than 12 months provide the basis for membership in the National Insurance Scheme
- Our social security system supports families with parental benefits, cash-for-care benefits for parents, and care benefit days. Other benefits include sickness benefits and pension rights
- NMBU provides travel insurance for work-related travels
- The faculty will assist with finding accommodation. NMBU has several living units and guest apartment
You may send your inquiries about this position via the online form, and one of the co-principal investigators or HR officers will contact you https://forms.office.com/r/in3SfMzLAt
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NMBU.
General Information to applicants
Application
Your application must include a CV and a brief research proposal. Applications without mandatory attachments will not be prioritised. Research proposal must follow the template and requirements provided here.
Application deadline: 15.08.2023
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Up to ten publications selected by the applicant as most relevant must be attached to the application. If it is difficult to identify the contribution of the applicant in multiple-author publications, a short explanation about the applicant’s part of the work is suggested.
Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to present verified copies of diplomas and certificates.
About The Faculty of Science and Technology
The Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) develops research-based knowledge and educates civil engineers and lecturers needed to reach the UN’s sustainability goals. We have approximately 150 employees, 70 PhD students and soon 1500 students. The education and research at REALTEK cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.
This includes data science, mechanics and process engineering, robotics, construction and architecture, industrial economics, environmental physics and renewable energy, geomatics, water and environmental engineering, applied mathematics as well as secondary school teacher education in natural sciences and use of natural resources such as in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. The workplace is in Ă…s, 30 km from Oslo.
What is it really like to work at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) at NMBU?
– Guided tour of the Faculty of Science and Technology on Vimeo
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
NMBU’s focus is a joint effort for a sustainable future. Our university will contribute to securing the future of life, through outstanding research, education, communication and innovation.
NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 500 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.
