Exciting PhD Opportunity in HRSD Digital Water
Université Laval in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, is offering a unique PhD research opportunity in collaboration with The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) in Eastern Virginia, US. This position will be supervised by professor Dr. Peter Vanrolleghem (Université Laval) and Dr. Jeff Sparks (HRSD Director of Digital Water). It will focus on cutting-edge advancements in wastewater treatment using digital technologies.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate will be a US citizen (or permanent resident) with a passion for advancing water and wastewater treatment through research. A strong foundation in environmental engineering is essential, with a master's degree in environmental engineering preferred. Exceptional candidates with only a bachelor's degree in civil/environmental engineering will also be considered.
A firm understanding of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) is required for this position. While some knowledge of machine learning, mechanistic and hybrid modelling, Digital Twins, and industrial control is desirable, candidates with a demonstrated interest in these areas will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills throughout the PhD program.
Unique Research Environment and Student Benefits:
This position offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct research at full-scale water reclamation facilities in Eastern Virginia, bolstering the student’s resume for future employment. The student will be based at HRSD for the majority of their studies, with at least one semester spent early on at modelEAU at Université Laval in Quebec City to engage in coursework, collaborate with fellow researchers, and operate pilot-scale facilities.
HRSD offers a comprehensive financial support package to ensure students can focus on their studies. This includes full coverage of tuition and fees, a competitive salary, health insurance benefits, and opportunities for conference travel. While residing in the Hampton Roads area, students also have the option of shared housing with other graduate students, providing a supportive community and affordable living arrangements.
Building a Foundation:
For their first six months (approximately) in Hampton Roads, the student will focus on optimizing an existing Digital Twin at one of HRSD's plants. It may also involve expanding the Digital Twin concept from this one facility to other HRSD treatment plants. This hands-on experience will provide a solid foundation for the student to develop their own PhD research proposal.
Proposed Timeline:
The PhD program will begin with an initial year focused on establishing a strong foundation for the student's research. This will involve work onsite at Université Laval in Quebec City and hands-on experience with Digital Twins at HRSD's full-scale facilities in Virginia. At the same time, it is expected that the student would also develop their unique research proposal. The subsequent three years (approximately) will be dedicated to conducting research on a topic of their choosing, aligning with the program's focus areas (BNR, digital twins, etc.) and contributing to the advancement of HRSD's Digital Water initiatives. These years would be spent in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The position will start in either the summer or fall session of 2025.
If you’re interested in, please contact Jeff Sparks at jsparks@hrsd.com and Peter Vanrolleghem at Peter.Vanrolleghem@gci.ulaval.ca.