PhD position in “Urban water quality under drought conditions”
Freshwater of sufficient quality is crucial to sustain life, development, and the environment and lies at the heart of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. All around the world, however, water systems are increasingly under pressure. In urban areas, diverse human water demands are rising, e.g. for irrigation, recreation and aqua-thermal energy extraction. At the same time, extreme weather events increase in intensity and frequency.
Freshwater of sufficient quality is crucial to sustain life, development, and the environment and lies at the heart of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. All around the world, however, water systems are increasingly under pressure. In urban areas, diverse human water demands are rising, e.g. for irrigation, recreation and aqua-thermal energy extraction. At the same time, extreme weather events increase in intensity and frequency. Drought conditions are such events with severe impact on (urban) waters, not only affecting water quantity, but also the ecological and functional water quality through e.g., increased eutrophication or salinization. Urban water balances do not usually include water quality. However, there is need to differentiate water availability and demand for different water uses, considering their water quality requirements – especially in preparation for drought and for water allocation during droughts. Recent research has provided some generic insights into the impact of drought on water quality. However, most knowledge is focused on non-urban environments and water quality monitoring programs are scarce in urban areas. Therefore, research is needed to better understand the impact of drought on ecological and functional quality of urban waters by 1) modelling available water and alternative sources considering water quality requirements; 2) integrating water quality into demand and supply balances; 3) assessing the impact of water allocation alternatives on urban water quality.
The position
This PhD position aims to assess the impact of drought conditions on water quality in urban areas. To this end, you will first review existing literature and water quality data to be able to map and quantify these impacts. Next, you will develop a method to include water quality in a water supply and demand balance for cities. This method development should ground in a document analysis and might be supported by stakeholder and expert interviews. You will use the method to conduct a water quality-focused supply and demand balance for one or several urban cases using water quality modelling and measurement data. Last, you (together with project partners and stakeholders) are developing water allocation scenarios for drought conditions and assess their impact on water quality and vulnerability of key water uses and other societal aims.
The position is part of the NWO-funded ‘Thirsty Cities: Action-perspectives for a climate-proof, drought-resilient, and water-sensitive built environment’ project. A transdisciplinary approach is employed to develop knowledge, insights, tooling, principles, designs, infrastructures and action-perspectives for a climate-proof, drought-resilient, and water-sensitive built environment. The project focuses on Dutch case cities covering diverse characteristics. Throughout the PhD project, a strong collaboration with partners and stakeholders from the case cities is expected. For more information about the project, see: Thirsty Cities
Information and application
For additional information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact dr. Lara Wöhler, l.wohler@utwente.nl.
Please apply before 25 May 2025 by using the link below.
Upload a motivation letter (1 page), your CV (max 3 pages without photo), a writing sample (max 1 page e.g., an abstract of a publication or a one-page summary of your master thesis) as well as relevant certificates. The application must not exceed 5 pages excluding certificates.
The first (online) job interview will take place beginning of June. We encourage master students to apply even if they still have to graduate in the coming months.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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