Research Assistant wanted

[pscot]

Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK

Experience: Entry level


Description: Cranfield University is seeking a self-motivated, innovative and flexible graduate to undertake an exciting research project which aims to identify how engineered solutions can be integrated with water trading to best resolve water scarcity issues.

Water scarcity is widespread and increasing worldwide. Climate change, population growth and increased water demand require a dynamic reallocation of the water resources. More flexibility in transferring, sharing and/or trading water resources would reward increased efficiency, increase the benefit from existing sources by encouraging transfers to higher value users, and encourage the development of the most economical new supply options, but also raises potential issues of management and environmental risks.

This project is part of a larger EPSRC funded research project which aims to resolve the increasing water scarcity problems in the UK. The student will work within a multi-disciplinary project team involving academics and postgraduate researchers from Cranfield, Leeds and Herriot-Watt Universities and University College London. After a review of trading experiences worldwide, the team will investigate the potential for trading in selected UK catchments, using a market simulator, stakeholder interviews and modeling. Visit the EPSRC website for more details of the overall project.

This Cranfield PhD will identify how engineered solutions can be integrated with the water trading to best resolve water scarcity issues. The research will include the potential roles of distributed reservoirs, on-farm storage, enhanced aquifer recharge, water harvesting, and/or water transfers between users via pipeline or natural watercourses. The student will initially help provide data for the water trading model, and then use the model for their own applications and case studies. Field work in the selected catchments and travel to team meetings in the UK will be required.

The student will be based at Cranfield University in the Cranfield Water Science Institute. The Institute is recognised internationally for its research, education, training and consultancy, focussing on the science, engineering and management of water in municipal, industrial and natural environments. We are the UK's largest postgraduate group specialising in these areas.

Application deadline: 18th August
Start date: 3 October 2011

Funding
*Supported by an EPSRC bursary this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £13,950 p.a. for three years and cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only .

To be eligible for this funding applicants must have:
•no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK, i.e. no visa restrictions or have ‘settled status’, and
•have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant and
•not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals).

All EU nationals are eligible to receive a fees-only award if they do not have ‘settled status’ in the UK.

All non-EU nationals are very unlikely to be eligible for this funding under the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997.

For full details about eligibility please visit: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm

How to apply
Please submit a CV and complete the application form at: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/applications/apply_pgresearch.pdf

Further for further information please contact:

School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E: [e-mail]
W: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/studentships?id=ee




Key skills:


Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related subject. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of water resources management and/or water engineering. Good numeracy, analytical and IT skills will be essential, but the student will also need the skills and willingness to interact with the stakeholders in the study catchments. A driving licence and willingness to drive are essential. An MSc qualification, GIS skills and/or relevant work experience in a relevant area will be an advantage

[cliffordu]

1. Hmm.

This reminds me of "Necklacing"

[pscot]

2. OK

Necklacing, as I understand it, involves putting a burning tire around the neck of someone you disagree with. How is that like an ad for a research assistant in the UK?

[cliffordu]

3. What else would you call a position that entails the selling water to

people for profit???


WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT SELLING WATER TO HUMAN BEINGS?

WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF HUMAN DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO EVEN CONSIDER SUCH AN ACT?

Fuck them and the greed they rode in on.

fuck them to hell.

[pscot]

4. That was my initial response when I saw the ad

But it may be a perfectly innocent and benevolent attempt to make best use of a dwindling resource.

[cliffordu]

5. ...That will be used by international corporations to maximize profits.

Selling fucking water to humans should be an immediate death penalty.

Necklace.

There HAS to be a limit. There HAS to be.