Research Associate - Water, Soil and Waste

POSITION: Research Associate Water, Soil and Waste 

PERIOD: 2-year contract – start date: 01.09.2016 

Application deadline: 15/07/2016

Concawe is looking for a research associate to support the activities of the Water, Soil and Waste Management Group (WSWMG). 

Purpose of the Role and specific responsibilities:

The role of the Research Associate for Water Quality includes input to specific data analysis and research activities as detailed hereunder in support of the Water, Soil & Waste Science Executive.

Main activities:

• Lead the analysis of data from ongoing Concawe projects to characterise changes in the concentration of priority substances and speciated hydrocarbons during refinery effluent treatment (Hydrocarbon Block Shift project).
• Work in partnership with Concawe expert consultants to:

o   Perform a comparative analysis of data returned from the 2010 and 2013 Concawe surveys of refinery water use and effluent quality with publically available E-PRTR data.

o   Test and deploy a new web-based system for the collection of data on sector water use and emissions to water.

o   Analyse and report data provided by refineries on the use of biologically- based techniques for effluent monitoring

• Support the analysis of data from Concawe/Total research investigations into modelled hydrocarbon toxicity vs effects observed in laboratory whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests and artificial streams.
• Support ongoing research into factors controlling concentrations of VOCs in refinery cooling systems
• Support the dissemination of Concawe research by drafting Concawe publications (Review articles and reports) and manuscripts for submission to peer- review journals.

The candidate may additionally be required to help in a variety of tasks to support the Water, Soil and Waste Management Group, for example:

• Support the Water, Soil & Waste Science Executive in the coordination of management group activities
• Assist Special Task Forces to write and edit Concawe technical reports, briefing papers, articles etc., on topics related to the field of activity
• Provide regular progress updates to the relevant water, soil and waste Special Task Forces and Management Group
• Represent Concawe at relevant scientific/ technical forums, where the opportunity arises.

Concawe: Background Information

Concawe is the science division of an international non-profit association (The European Petroleum Refiners Association aisbl) whose mission is to provide research & technical support to the EU downstream oil refining industry in the study of environmental, health, safety and testing issues relating to the refining of crude oil and the distribution and use of petroleum products, with the aim of improving the understanding of these issues by the industry, authorities, users and other interested parties.

The Association represents the interests of 41 Companies operating petroleum refineries in the EU.  Members account for almost 100% of EU petroleum refining capacity and more than 75% of EU motor fuel retail sales.

Concawe WSWMG activities include the collection and reporting of statistical data on sector water usage (type and origin of water), water use (e.g. cooling water, process water, potable water), volumes of effluent produced, composition of effluents and effluent monitoring requirements.

In addition, a wide variety of research is undertaken by Concawe in partnership with universities, research institutes and expert consultants to better understand controls on water use and emissions, the fate and effects of substances used and produced by the sector and the implications of proposed changes in EU legislation.

Professional Profile:

Education & Experience 

Required qualifications and experience:

• Academic degree in natural sciences, preferentially chemistry, physics, biology or ecology

Ideally the candidate would also have:

• Relevant postgraduate qualification
• Experience in the oil refining industry, or in a technical consultancy servicing this sector, with regard to effluent monitoring and/or waste water treatment.

Skills & Competencies

• Highly organised individual
• High proficiency in English (oral and written) is essential (supporting evidence in the form of past publications is requested); other EU languages would be an advantage
• Excellent PC skills (MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint) and strong data analysis skills
• Technical expertise relevant to environmental monitoring and risk assessment would be an advantage

Additional

• Self-starter and autonomous in his/her work
• An ability to work effectively in a team
• Permit to work in EU

Organisational Fit: Reports to the Science Executive for Water, Soil and Waste

The position is based in Belgium (Brussels)

For application, please send your CV, your bibliography and motivation letter to:recruitment@concawe.org mentioning “Water, Soil & Waste Research Associate” in the subject of your e-mail.