Position Description
The FABS Lab (Fueling Advances in Bioprocess Sustainability) in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Syracuse University has one (1) fully funded Ph.D. position available starting in Fall 2026. The student will be advised by Dr. Fabrizio Sabba and will work at the intersection of environmental biotechnology, process engineering, and resource recovery to advance next-generation water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). The research will emphasize carbon-efficient nutrient removal and the transformation of wastewater-derived organics into valuable products, with projects spanning wastewater fermentation and internal carbon capture, low-DO biological nutrient removal, EBPR optimization, and resource recovery pathways using waste-derived co-substrates. The position is well-suited for a student interested in combining bench- or pilot-scale experimentation with quantitative interpretation through mass balances, kinetics, and mechanistic or data-driven modeling to produce outcomes that are both scientifically rigorous and directly relevant to utilities and industry partners. The selected candidate will receive a competitive research assistant stipend, full tuition coverage, and standard Syracuse University graduate benefits.
Applicant Background & Preferred Skills
Applicants should have a B.S. and M.S. in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related field. Prior exposure to biological wastewater treatment, reactor operation, and quantitative problem-solving is helpful but not required. Experience with analytical methods relevant to carbon and nutrients, basic microbial methods, and modeling or data analysis tools (for example Python, MATLAB, or R) will be viewed positively. The lab values candidates who are curious, quantitative, careful in experimental work, and motivated to translate results into design-relevant insights. Applicants need to meet the graduate admission requirements, including GPA and language test scores (if applicable).
About Syracuse University & the Region
Situated in the heart of Central New York, Syracuse University is a research-intensive institution with faculty and research programs focused on advancing sustainable infrastructure and environmental systems. The university’s collaborative culture supports interdisciplinary work across engineering, environmental science, microbiology, chemistry, and data-driven modeling, and the region offers strong opportunities for applied water research through partnerships with municipal utilities and diverse receiving-water environments. Syracuse combines the energy and amenities of a mid-sized city with a welcoming campus community and provides easy access to four-season outdoor recreation across the Finger Lakes and Adirondack region, along with local cultural events, food, and arts.
To Apply
Please submit your C.V., transcripts (both undergraduate and graduate), and a one-page research statement describing your research experience and interests to Dr. Fabrizio Sabba at fsabba@syr.edu Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.