The Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre Kumasi (RWESCK) and the Department of Civil Engineering, KNUST in collaboration with NET-WATER and IRD are inviting application for a PhD Position in Novel Membrane Filtration Technology.
Background
With the increasing pollution of groundwater and urbanising centres in Africa, there is need to develop capacity and expertise in membrane technology for the removal of fluoride, iron, manganese, and other contaminants from groundwater in point sources. The occurrence of high fluoride concentration in groundwater causing fluorosis has become a health and geo-environmental issue in many countries. Similarly, nitrate contamination in ground water is an emerging problem. The Centre undertakes water purification research, with more in-depth studies on water pollutant remediation using several adsorptive filter materials (including various coated sand media, synthetic zeolites, activated carbon, coated activated carbon, etc.) for removal of commonly occurring drinking water contaminants such as iron, manganese, fluoride, arsenic, chloride, chromium etc. These filter materials are also employed in pilot studies to treat industrial waste waters.
Research focus
The Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre Kumasi (RWESCK) and the Department of Civil Engineering, KNUST in collaboration with NET-WATER and IRD seek to undertake joint research and to conduct a multi-country research. The joint research aims to use membrane technology to develop filters that can remove substantial quantities of fluoride, nitrate, iron, manganese, Arsenic.
This research call focuses on innovative membrane technology using zeolite and polymeric membrane filters from readily available local materials to provide solution for the problem of contaminated groundwater. The PhD Research title will focus on ‘Removal of groundwater contaminants by polymeric membrane filtration for safe drinking water supply.’ Interested applicants with the relevant analytical skills should submit a research proposal with three novel research questions that addresses research gaps related to characterization of novel membrane materials, novel nanoparticle composite materials, dense and porous membranes, Membrane Photocatalysis, multiscale membrane materials and processes model development, characterization tools and removal of groundwater contaminants.
Eligibility
- Should have relevance BSc, MSc by research or MPhil degrees in one of the following fields: Water supply and environmental sanitation (water treatment option), Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Material Science or any relevant field of study.
- Interested persons should apply to the PhD Water Supply and Treatment Technologies programme at RWESCK via (Here!)
- Interested applicants should be available to commence the research by September 1, 2020 on full time basis.
Sponsorship
- The sponsorship will cover research costs and partial monthly stipend for a stated period from NET-WATER and IRD,
- Candidate will receive partial sponsorship from RWESCK such as tuition and internship support
Application Process
Interested candidates should forward copies of their fully endorsed KNUST application form, transcripts, certificates, a letter of motivation, a research proposal, CV showing relevant research experience and list of publications to sokwarteng@gmail.com by Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an online interview on Thursday, July 23rd via Zoom.