The International Water Management Institute [IWMI] is recruiting Post-docs to strengthen its research team for Human Waste Reuse in Agriculture.
As part of its new science portfolio, ‘Water, Land and Ecosystems’, the IWMI wishes to strengthen its programme of Resource Recovery & Reuse.
The aim is to create a world in which domestic and agricultural waste streams are a resource for the production of safe irrigation water, fertilizer and energy for in the benefit of local markets. IWMI believes that using a business perspective on resource recovery from waste materials will enable cost reduction in the sanitation service chain. Their proposition is that this will make sanitation service delivery more attractive and benefit impoverished urban dwellers whilst also helping to sustain urban food supply, generating jobs and enhancing livelihoods for poor households in peri-urban areas of developing countries.
IWMI is seeking highly motivated scientists with a range of skills and knowledge to strengthen their RR&R team. They promise scientists an exciting platform for this challenging endeavor at the agriculture-sanitation interface. They also seek those who are considering extending their studies in this subject so PhD sponsorship may be a possibility.
The following positions are now available and scientists with expertise in any of the areas outlined below are encouraged to apply. IWMI is flexible about the level which we appoint to the positions and will take into account background, experience and skills. If you are interested in more than one position then please indicate this on your application letter.
- Health Risk Assessment, Modeling and Mitigation -> Researcher + Post-Doctoral Fellow
- Enterprise Development & Business Model Analysis -> Senior Researcher + 2 x Post-Doctoral Fellow + PhD Student
- Agricultural Reuse -> 2 x Post-Doctoral Fellow + PhD Student (Ghana, Sri Lanka or India)
- Waste Resource Recovery for Agriculture -> 2 x Post-Doctoral Fellow
The position highlighted above is explained below. IWMI particularly encourages candidates from developing countries to apply.
The Person and the Job
If you have a background in the productive use of domestic or agro-industrial waste resources (waste compost, co-compost, wastewater, urine, fecal sludge, etc.) preferably in agriculture this could be just the assignment for you.
IWMI seeks 2 postdoctoral fellows in its Resource Recovery & Reuse group which will contribute from the agricultural and environmental perspective to the development and application of safe business models on resource recovery in urban and peri-urban low-income settings across Asia and Africa. This position reports to the Theme Leader, Water Quality, Health and Environment.
You will:
- design and supervise field data collection and analysis of existing reuse projects and enterprises in view of their agronomic performance, acceptance and environmental impact and risk;
- work within a multi-disciplinary team merging social, economic, environmental, and technical analysis related to the recovery of water, nutrients, organic matter and biogas from waste, including joint collecting and analysis of data;
- guide action research on safe and productive reuse options with local partners;
- model waste use and environmental and agronomic impacts within feasibility studies for planned reuse cases at different scale;
- liaise with public and private sector stakeholders on the feasibility of waste reuse options applicable to the local context;
- contribute ideas about linking in safe ways agriculture and sanitation to enhance food security and business opportunities along the sanitation value chain in low-income settings; and
- prepare scientific reports and articles for peer-reviewed journals and represent IWMI, as required, at national and international events.
You must possess:
- a recent PhD in the area of expertise described above;
- a degree in Civil, Agricultural or Environmental Engineering, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, or related disciplines;
- knowledge of analysis of plant nutrients and heavy metals in water, crop and soil;
- knowledge of current guidelines for the agricultural use of waste products, especially by WHO;
- knowledge of sanitation and food security and safety challenges in low-income countries;
- excellent written and spoken English; other languages would be an additional advantage;
- ability to establish priorities, plan, organize and monitor own work in a multiple task environment;
- strong interpersonal skills to maintain effective relationships in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams;
- ability to work respectfully with local and international partners and
- proven ability to write scientific papers.
It would be useful if you have:
- experience in project management;
- known about pathogenic risk factors of poor sanitation;
- worked on environmental impact assessment or modeling; and
- experience of material flow analysis, GIS or have some background in economic analysis.
A postdoctoral contract is available for two years and is non-renewable. IWMI salaries are competitive with those of similar international institutions and offer a range of benefits including housing and utilities allowance, vehicle allowance, education allowance, annual home leave, health insurance package and shipping assistance.
Application
The position will remain open until filled. Please submit your application online.
Attach complete application form + résumé + a letter which addresses IWMI’s requirements with names and email addresses of 3 professional referees, to be contacted if you are short-listed.
Your application will be acknowledged automatically within 24 hours. If not, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
IMWI will begin reviewing applications on 6 November 2011
For more detailed information on the position above, check the announcement. More information about the other positions can be found on the IWMI website.
About IWMI
The International Water Management Institute is a non-profit, scientific organization engaged in research and capacity building activities for developing countries. Our mission is to overcome poverty through better management of land and water resources. Working with diverse partners and supported by the CGIAR, IWMI seeks to translate its research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, resource managers and poor rural communities. IWMI is based in Sri Lanka and has regional offices in 12 countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. IWMI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality.
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