The post PhD Scholarship Opportunity: Bioremediation of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater Streams appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>Stipend: $35k – $39k p/a
Project Operational Funds: $6k
WaterRA Professional Development fund: $5k
Duration: 3 years
Location: Federation University, Mt Helen, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Industry Partners: Barwon Water, Greater Western Water, Central Highlands Water, Water Research Australia
About the Project: Working with industry partners (Barwon Water, Greater Western Water, Central Highlands Water, and WaterRA) this is an applied 3-year PhD program offering a top-end stipend with a focus on clean waterways, emerging contaminants, bioremediation, nutrient removal, and circular economy.
In recent years pharmaceuticals have emerged as a waterway pollutant of concern due to the potential impacts on the health and function of the receiving environment. While these may enter the environment via a range of pathways (e.g. storm water, farm run-off and urban/industrial wastewater), the treatment and management of pharmaceuticals are of significant interest to water authorities who collect and treat wastewater at centralised wastewater treatment plants. As part of the due diligence, water authorities are making continuous improvements to wastewater treatment, and looking for further enhancements to provide additional treatment for emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals. However, given wastewater treatment plants were initially not designed to treat these emerging and or designer drugs, further research is required to better understand the role wastewater treatment plants play in removing these compounds and identify and assess potential treatment technologies that may be required to mitigate the introduction of these compounds into the environment. This is particularly important as concentrations may increase due to the aging and increasing population.
This project aims to deepen knowledge in this area by (1) Developing a literature synthesis of current pharmaceutical removal techniques and their efficacy; (2) Develop laboratory-scale experiments to determine the effectiveness of a range of potential pharmaceutical removal methods including plants, algae and abiotic removal; and (3) Undertake Mesocosm experiments as a proof-of-concept solution for treating residual pharmaceutical pollution in wastewater streams (e.g. small scale constructed wetland or bioreactor). Additional focus will be on developing circular economy and beneficial re-use opportunities for the Australian water sector. In additional to pharmaceutical products, there is scope to also include nutrient analysis and recovery, such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus.
If you want your PhD to make a difference, and to gain valuable industry work experience—including the opportunity to undertake professional development placements at a water authority—then reach out to Dr Benjamin Long and submit today!
Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship applicants will ideally have an Honours or Masters in chemical engineering, the environmental sciences, or related areas. The preferred candidate will also have an excellent record as an emerging academic performer and peer-reviewed publications would be welcome. This scholarship is open to suitably qualified Australian citizens as well as international candidates living in Australia with a valid visa.
More information: Contact Dr. Benjamin Long ([email protected])
To Apply: Bioremediation of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater Streams
Applicants must apply through the above Federation University Australia webpage which includes the submission of the BW-GWW Application Form and supporting documents along with their HDR Application Form. Applications will be accepted from Australian residents, permanent residents and international students with a valid visa currently studying onshore only.
Applicants should contact Dr Benjamin Long ([email protected]) prior to submitting an application.
Dates:
- Applications close Midnight Sunday, 22 Jan 2023.
- Candidate Interviews to begin mid-Feb 23.
- Preferred commencement Semester 1, March 2023. (Flexible start date).
About The Research Team
Principal Supervisor: Dr Benjamin Long.
Benjamin obtained his PhD from Deakin University in 2014 before undertaking Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellowships at the University of Sydney. In 2016 he returned to Deakin University as a lecturer and research fellow before taking up a lectureship at Federation University in 2017 https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/iiss/staff-profiles/staff-profiles/dr-benjamin-long
Associate Supervisor: A/Prof Andrew Barton.
Andrew Barton is the Associate Dean (Research Training and Partnerships) for the Graduate Research School. In this strategic role, Andrew develops research strengths and enhances the provision of research training for the University’s higher degree by research students. Andrew received his PhD from the University of Tasmania in the area of experimental fluid mechanics and is a Chartered Professional Engineer, an Executive Engineer, and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia. https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/iiss/staff-profiles/staff-profiles/barton,-andrew-aprof
Associate Supervisor: Dr Nicholas Schultz.
Nick is a vegetation ecologist with broad interests in human-modified landscapes and ecological restoration. Nick lectures in Australian Flora and a range of courses in the B. Environmental and Conservation Science. https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/iiss/staff-profiles/staff-profiles/nicholas-schultz
Associate Supervisor: Dr Rebecca Gehling.
Rebecca completed her PhD in 2014 at Deakin University as part of the Luminescence group, focusing on chemiluminescence as a detection method. Shortly after, she commenced as an academic at the University of Tasmania working in the chemistry and environmental programs, before joining Federation University in 2018. https://federation.edu.au/research/find-an-expert/rebecca-gehling
The post PhD Scholarship Opportunity: Bioremediation of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater Streams appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>The post Students celebrate success at VIC Water Awards appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>Minh Duc Nguyen’s research is a collaborative project between Water Research Australia, Deakin University and Barwon Water to develop innovative technologies to reuse and manage water treatment sludge. Minh Duc was awarded the 2020 Nancy Millis Memorial PhD Award, an Australia Award in 2013 and most recently awarded International Student of the Year (Regional) at the 2021-22 Victorian International Education Awards.
Another congratulations to Melbourne Water, University of Queensland, University of Melbourne and Ektimo for taking out the R&D Excellence Award at the AWA’s Victorian Water Awards with their project: Real Greenhouse Gas Emission Measurement and Reporting for Real Reductions As We Move Toward Net Zero.
Led by WaterRA Graduate Peter Wardrop, Melbourne Water’s greenhouse gas measurement program establishes validated methods to accurately measure and quantify emissions from sewage treatment, significantly improving industry knowledge and reporting methodologies. Accurate emission measurement is critical to assess mitigation strategy effectiveness as we move towards a net-zero carbon future, ensuring our efforts focus on real reductions.
As leaders in collaborative water research, WaterRA supports innovation in the sector through long-term sponsorship of both the national and state-based Research and Development Excellence Awards offered by the Australian Water Association.
The post Students celebrate success at VIC Water Awards appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>The post PhD candidate wins prestigious education award appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>Recognised for his initiative, exceptional qualities and passion for research, Duc’s research looks at how Barwon Water can beneficially reuse waste products from water treatment plants.
A collaboration between WaterRA, Barwon Water and Deakin University, the project has been extended to include three other Victorian water management bodies.
His research skills, including laboratory, experiment design, data analysis, academic writing and project management, have developed significantly while doing his PhD, allowing Duc to work in both the industry and academic sides of the water sector.
Duc successfully balances the demands of his full-time PhD research, working part-time and giving back to his fellow students. He founded a group that supports Vietnamese students in Geelong that now boasts 600 members, which gives advice on accommodation, study tips and making friends.
Duc was also the recipient of WaterRA’s Nancy Millis Memorial PhD Award in 2020.
Congratulations Duc!
The post PhD candidate wins prestigious education award appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>The post Prestigious Nancy Millis Memorial PhD Award 2022 recipient appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>Deakin University PhD candidate, Mariah Sampson, has been awarded Water Research Australia’s 2022 Nancy Millis Memorial Award.
The award, presented annually, is for a student who has demonstrated initiative, has exceptional qualities and a passion for research. It honours Nancy Millis who was a microbiologist of international repute who made enormous contributions in agriculture, environmental protection, medicine, and engineering.
Mariah is currently helping Victoria’s Barwon Water with an assessment of the effectiveness of planned restoration works in the East Barwon River, which can be used to guide future works and negotiations with new landowners if similar projects arise.
The Barwon River is the major source of drinking water for the city of Geelong. The upper reach of the (East) Barwon River currently faces several challenges that pose downstream risks to both water quality and water security.
Barwon Water has established a project that will see crown frontage along the 3km stretch of the East Barwon Branch transferred to a Barwon Water-led committee of management. Under the guidance of the committee, Barwon Water will undertake Willow removal, streambed stabilisation, revegetation and stock exclusion—with the aim of improving the water quality and overall waterway health.
Mariah’s research will assess the extent to which the East-Barwon River Restoration project methodology contributes to improving key river health indicators and assess changes in water quality and ecological parameters associated with a restored riparian buffer zone.
“I am passionate about the balance human and environmental water needs,” Mariah said. “Through my PhD I am able to explore the complex problem of willow removal and riparian restoration within a water supply catchment and how riparian restoration might be optimised as a solution to meet needs of diverse stakeholders and to promote aquatic ecology.”
Mariah says receiving the Nancy Millis Memorial Award is a huge honour and she hopes to do it justice.
“I couldn’t imagine doing a PhD without the support of WaterRA,” she added. “My Deakin University supervisors are fantastic as well as the team from Barwon Water – they are so helpful, we catch up often and they give me access to key information, as well as introduce me to relevant stakeholders.
“There’s been a lot of support from everyone and it’s very easy to stay motivated because I know where the research fits into industry and why it’s useful.”
Mariah’s PhD supervisor, Prof Rebecca Lester from Deakin University, says Mariah is a worthy recipient of the award.
“She is a dedicated and talented student who has developed a comprehensive project to investigate the effect of restoration on temperate streams,” Rebecca said. “Her work will contribute to the scientific literature but also directly inform future restoration efforts.
“The Nancy Mills Award presents a wonderful opportunity for early career scientists like Mariah to develop complementary skills and develop networks with other industry professionals.”
Dr William Buchanan, Chief Scientist at Barwon Water, said he is thrilled to celebrate Mariah being awarded the prestigious Nancy Millis Memorial Award for 2022.
“Nancy Millis was a trailblazer in opening-up opportunities for female professionals in STEM,” he said. “Mariah’s applied research is representative of Nancy’s legacy; helping as it does to deepen and extend our knowledge on waterway health through measuring physio-chemical properties, water quality and biological collections before and after river restoration.
“Barwon Water’s sponsorship of Mariah’s PhD is in recognition of the significance her research holds for the water industry.”
The late Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC MBE was appointed Chair of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment (CRCWQT) from 1995 until 2008 and subsequently maintained her involvement through the Education Program and on the Scientific Advisory Committee following the inception of Water Research Australia.
To find out more about the late Professor Nancy Millis, her extraordinary life, and successful career as a leading female researcher click here.
Image: Mariah Sampson.
The post Prestigious Nancy Millis Memorial PhD Award 2022 recipient appeared first on Water Research Australia.
]]>