Applications are solicited for a postdoctoral fellow position in Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The postdoc will work as a member in Peiying Hong’s lab (Environmental Microbial Safety and Biotechnology Lab). The research in this group is motivated by the need to address water scarcity issues, and focuses on activities related to two main areas, namely microbial safety and anaerobic biotechnologies.

An opening position is available for a postdoctoral fellow to work on scaling up the current lab-sized anaerobic membrane bioreactor to 20-30L reactor. The reactor is to be operated on-site at KAUST wastewater treatment plant, and to be evaluated for its water quality, safety and sustainability. Applicants should have a strong background in reactor design and operation, and should be able to perform the standardized water quality tests. Applicants should preferably know molecular techniques like real time PCR, and/or next-generation sequencing. Applicants may also be involved in a parallel project of designing online sensing system to detect microbial contaminants. The candidate should have a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, and should possess strong scientific analytical and logic thinking. It is expected that the candidate should possess good communications in both written and oral English and the ability to work in a team.

Postdoc compensation at KAUST is highly competitive globally. Health insurance, free housing (fully furnished) and yearly round-trip air tickets to the home country of the postdoc are provided. The initial appointment will be for one year, with possibility of renewals for subsequent years. The position is available immediately until filled.

Interested persons should send an application letter that details their CV, research interests, names and contact information of at least three references to Professor Peiying Hong (peiying.hong@kaust.edu.sa). Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.