Position Overview: Dr. Bruce Dvorak, Ray Fauss Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a funded research assistantship focused on circular systems for managing organic livestock wastes and cost-effective greenhouse gas mitigation measures for manufacturers.
The student will work as a part of a team on grants from the National Science Foundation and US Department of Energy. The overall focus will be on evaluating the sustainability of complex systems, including circular system using livestock manure and other organic wastes as a feedstock for an anaerobic membrane reactor system to produce methane, organic compounds, and fertilizer. Another component is gathering and analyzing sustainability metrics from readily implementable improvements at manufacturing plants. Will use AI tools for gathering and analyzing data. The work will include documenting each technical system while gathering data from local agricultural producers and manufacturers, development metrics, and placing these in the context of regulations and product standards.
Required Qualifications:
- B.S. or M.S. in environmental engineering, civil/environmental engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field
- Strong English Language verbal skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in technical writing
- Ability to obtain a US driver’s license by July of 2026.
Preferred Experience:
- Familiarity with water/wastewater treatment processes
- Exposure to agricultural practices associated with livestock and/or some manufacturing processes
- Data analysis using AI or machine learning
Application Instructions:
For further details, please contact Dr. Dvorak at Bdvorak1@nebraska.edu.