Tecnológico de Monterrey (https://tec.mx/en) is a private university in Mexico founded in 1943. It is ranked among the top 170 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings® 2023. Tec offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs within six subject areas (built environment, engineering, creative studies, business, social sciences, and health). It is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America (top 4 according to QS Latin America University Ranking©).

Description

Farmers in many arid and semi-arid regions throughout the world use wastewater for irrigation of crops. In some regions, growers may even prefer to use untreated or partially treated domestic wastewater because the nutrient content can offset, or eliminate, the need for synthetic fertilizer, and the associated costs. The use of wastewater for crop irrigation will grow with increased food production to meet the needs of a growing world population, and with the increased frequency of droughts, exacerbated by climate change.

The benefits of using wastewater as a source of irrigation water must be weighed against the potential risks to both the environment and human health. Farmers using wastewater are often limited in their ability to mitigate the risks. Impediments to risk mitigation include, but are not limited to, social, cultural, policy, technological, regulatory, and economic factors.

We offer a postdoc researcher and several PhD positions in Water-Food-Energy Systems.

Postdoc Researcher Position

For the postdoc researcher position, the information can be found at https://jobs.tec.mx//job-invite/156131/. We are looking for candidates who are available to start as soon as possible. For further information, please contact Dr. Jürgen Mahlknecht (jurgen@tec.mx), Chair in Water Science and Technology, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and Dr. Frank Loge (fjloge@ucdavis.edu, fjloge@tec.mx), Professor/Center Director at University of California, Davis, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tecnologico de Monterrey.

PhD Position

The successful applicants to this position will broadly focus on expanding the use and acceptance of wastewater as a source of irrigation water in both developed and developing countries, with a particular focus on areas throughout the world with the greatest need for increased food production. This position will specifically focus on one or more of the following areas: (1) design, development, and/or implementation of culturally sensitive wastewater treatment systems specifically targeted at reusing wastewater as an irrigation source for crops; (2) nutrient management, inclusive of low-cost methods of assessing the nutrient content in wastewaters and methods of augmentation; (3) methods of assessing and mitigating health risks arising from the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of wastewater; and (4) social, political, and economic factors limiting farmers ability to use wastewater as a source of crop irrigation.

Your Qualifications (PhD Position)

• University degree (MSc.) in Engineering (Civil or Environmental preferred), Agriculture, Economics, Policy, or another related discipline.
• Strong attention to detail and writing, editing and proofreading skills in English to quickly and accurately produce complex technical and non-technical material for audiences of varying backgrounds.
• Professional demeanor with interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively and diplomatically with university staff and external partners, and people from diverse ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience applying critical thinking and good scientific/engineering judgment to ascertain relevant from irrelevant data and separate vital factors from less important ones
• Ability to learn new technologies and develop new skills to meet research challenges and promote professional growth in a complex, fast-paced research and development environment.
• Work experience performing design and/or technical calculations.
• Experience in or technical knowledge of water-food-energy systems, including, but not limited to, technologies, methods, and policies.

What We Offer (PhD Position)

• Strong mentorship in professional growth in both technical and non-technical areas.
• Diversity of learning opportunities and experiences fostered by an interdisciplinary team of international investigators.
• Fundamental research with direct application potentially leading to near-term societal impacts.
• Flexible work hours and conditions.
• The position is located at Tecnológico de Monterrey on the Monterrey Mexico campus with the opportunity for extended visit(s) to the University of California, Davis.

Tuition/Scholarship (PhD Position)

Students of the PhD program are full-time students. Once the candidate meets the requirements and admission is granted, she/he is assigned a full-tuition scholarship provided by Tecnológico de Monterrey for all the academic credits of the program, renewable every semester provided that the student meets the requirements defined by the Department of Scholarships and Financial Aid. All PhD students have the possibility of obtaining financial support for covering living costs provided by CONACYT (National Science and Technology Commission); the financial support includes medical services. Additional funding is available for travel to the University of California, Davis.

PhD Program

The PhD program in Science and Engineering is multidisciplinary in scope, covering four areas of knowledge (biotechnology, mechatronics, industrial engineering, and environmental systems). More information can be obtained in: https://maestriasydiplomados.tec.mx/posgrados/doctorado-en-ciencias-de-ingenieria?locale=en

Starting Date (PhD Position): August 2023
Duration (PhD Position): 4 years
Application Deadline (PhD Position): March 1, 2023

Contact Person / How to Apply

For application details or further information, please contact co-advisors Dr. Jürgen Mahlknecht (jurgen@tec.mx), Chair in Water Science and Technology, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and Dr. Frank Loge (fjloge@ucdavis.edu, fjloge@tec.mx), Professor/Center Director at University of California, Davis, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tecnologico de Monterrey.