Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Position in the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research - Vacancy Listing
Water scarcity hinders human potential by instigating conflicts, compromising human health, and promoting desertification. Due to global changes and population growth, water shortage is more acute than ever, and water quality is rapidly deteriorating.
Members of the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR) carry out cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in hydrology, water microbiology, and water treatment and serve as leaders in graduate education in hydrology and water sciences. We are looking for researchers who will join us in our goal of becoming a leading international multidisciplinary institute studying water in the anthropogenic and natural spheres, and a national center of expertise and education in water issues. In its research and educational activities, the ZIWR identifies and addresses current and emerging challenges, both fundamental and applied, in water-related developments, rehabilitation, and stewardship.
The ZIWR is a vibrant young research institute located within the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research at the Sede Boqer Campus of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Established in 2002, the ZIWR has since become a leading water institute in Israel through its dynamic and innovative working environment, hosting over 100 researchers, staff members, and graduate students.
The ZIWR announces a cluster hire of tenure-track faculty (at the rank of Lecturer or Senior Lecturer, parallel to Asst. Prof.) who focus on significant water related research topics. These fields of research target emerging environmental/water issues and utilize state of the art tools that will allow better understanding of global water/environment-related concerns.
New faculty members are expected to “communicate” with ZIWR researchers. It should be noted that the positions is expected to be filled with the aim of enhancing the department’s expertise in hydrology and environmental sensing. The other topics will be prioritized and decided upon based on the applications the committee receives. A more detailed description of the position can be found below.
Topics:
The ZIWR invites applications for a tenure-track position in :
1. water sciences/catchment hydrology with a focus on topics such as (but not limited to): catchment hydrology, large-scale hydrological modeling, catchment-scale contaminant transport (including nutrients, micropollutants, and plastics), hydrological modeling and “big-data,” and artificial intelligence in hydrological science.
2. Advanced sensing for various types of water, gases, and water treatments: fundamental and applied research leading to the development and application of sensors to understand water-related issues. Most of our current understanding is based on a limited ability to measure accurately in space and time. The development and application of novel sensors with data acquisition can shed light on many of the current theories related to all hydrological (and other) aspects, such as microbial activity along flow paths; GHG emissions; water treatment; and many more. Such novel sensors could also drive the development of “smart” water treatment unit operations, which would adapt operating conditions to the changing chemical and biological profiles of the water undergoing treatment.
3. One of the following topics: (i) surface science (fundamental research relevant to membrane/desalination, adsorption, catalysis and other water treatment technologies); (ii) micropollutants and/or nanomaterials in water and the environment, examined from both the fundamental and applicative perspective; (iii) resource recovery.
Surface science: Fundamental research that is relevant to and often essential for the understanding and development of membrane/desalination adsorption and other water treatment technologies. This research topic was identified as being complementary and synergistic to research that examines membranes (in the wider sense), fouling, scaling, etc., in terms of various membrane technologies. It could also be relevant to hydrologists looking at colloidal transport in surface and subsurface hydrology.
Micropollutants and nanomaterials in water and the environment: This is an emerging topic that addresses the global water concerns that can affect human and ecosystem health. It covers many fundamental questions regarding the fate and impact of micropollutants (organic and inorganic) in the environment. Similarly, nanomaterials research can cover a very wide range of fundamental and applied questions on their fate, importance, and potential usage.
Resource recovery: Fundamental and applied research on a very important topic that could have an immense global impact. The recovery of resources, such as nutrients and energy, from water and marginal water is becoming increasingly relevant in a world experiencing population growth and the dwindling of natural resources.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop strong research and teaching programs, which include mentoring and training graduate students. All teaching and mentoring at the ZIWR is performed in English. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for highly competitive research grants; publish in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals; and participate in the ZIWR’s activities.
