Western University, Canada

The RESTORE Research Group in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Western University invites applications for a fully funded, full-time Master’s or PhD position. The student will work on a project funded by the Canada Water Agency (CWA) that focuses on reducing the release of harmful chemicals in urban runoff by evaluating and advancing the treatment performance of green stormwater infrastructure. The project will combine intensive field monitoring of bioretention systems with laboratory-based batch and column experiments to better understand the fate, transport, and retention of emerging contaminants.

The project is a collaboration between Western University, University of Waterloo, and University of New South Wales. Responsibilities of successful applicants will include designing and executing field investigations, collecting runoff and water-quality samples, preparing and analyzing water samples for emerging contaminants including PFAS, tire wear chemicals, and microplastics, conducting batch and column experiments to evaluate contaminant retention and transport in green infrastructure media, interpreting experimental and field data, and communicating research outcomes through reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

Applicants must have, or expect to soon complete, a relevant degree in Engineering such as Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering, or Science such as Environmental Science and Chemistry, or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with strong quantitative skills and a background or interest in emerging contaminants, green infrastructure, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, or fate and transport of contaminants. Experience in field sampling and monitoring systems, laboratory-based batch or column experiments, or sample preparation and analysis for emerging contaminants will be considered an asset. A willingness to conduct fieldwork under variable and sometimes non-ideal weather conditions is essential. We are committed to equity and diversity in our hiring practices and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized individuals, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities.

The successful applicants will be based in the RESTORE Research Group (http://www.eng.uwo.ca/ restore/) which has been awarded over $6M to conduct field, experimental and modeling investigations focused on groundwater and water quality challenges. RESTORE is a well-recognized research group with around 20 graduate students, post-doctoral research fellows and laboratory technicians working in five well-equipped laboratories and offices. Western University (http://www.uwo.ca/) is a leading Canadian academic institution that is committed to excelling as an innovative research-intensive university. Western is located in London, Ontario (https://www.londontourism.ca/) – the Forest City – a vibrant and affordable city which is an ideal place to live for both individuals and families.

Please send your CV, unofficial transcripts, names of two references (along with contact phone and email), and a cover letter summarizing qualifications and research interests to Dr. Hafiz M. Abd-ur-Rehman at habdurre@uwo.ca . Start date is September 2026, but earlier or later start dates are possible. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the positions will remain open until filled. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.