Author Editor
Date 15 May 2022

Two PhD positions are currently available under Theme 3B within the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource. [See also our Training page for further details]

(Click on the respective headings below for detailed project information contained in a pdf attachment):

1. Modelling nutrients and substances in wastewater treatment plants and biosolids

This PhD project aims to:

• track and model carbon and nutrient flows in sludge and biosolids composition using bottom-up approaches on a systems scale and top-down approaches on a national scale; and
• investigate sustainability on a national scale by benchmarking nutrient flows against critical planetary boundaries.

2. Hybrid life cycle assessment of biosolids processing technologies

This PhD project aims to:

• develop a hybrid life cycle assessment model that combines bottom-up process data and top-down input-output data to represent the biosolids processing technologies utilised across Australia to evaluate the impacts of biosolids treatment options in multiple dimensions; and
• model and quantitatively assess different scenarios of treatment option uptake across Australia.

Successful candidates will join the UNSW Water Research Centre (WRC), Sydney and the ARC’s Industrial Transformation Training Centres (ITTC) program.

Candidates should have backgrounds in:

• either civil, chemical or environmental engineering
• have the ability to conduct independent research with limited supervision
• have excellent written and communication skills
• meet expected requirements to interact regularly with industry partners.

Knowledge of sustainability assessment methods (e.g. material/substance flow analysis, life cycle assessment, input-output analysis and hybrid life cycle assessments) is not required but will be beneficial for this position.

After being selected for the project, candidates will need to be successful in securing a primary scholarship via a Research Training Program (RTP) – Domestic or University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA) or any equivalent. A secondary Top Up scholarship ($5,000) may be available to exceptional applicants. Application deadline for these scholarships is 22 Sept 2023.

Applications should be submitted to Dr Shamim Aryampa (email: s.aryampa@unsw.edu.au) with the subject heading “ITTC PhD 3B” and indicating:

• your specific project of interest (Projects 1 or 2 outlined above)
• a cover letter
• academic transcript
• CV

Please submit your application by 30 July 2023 to the email address above.

This is to ensure that applicants can apply for an RTP scholarship (which closes 22 September 2023) in time to commence their PhD in T1, 2024.

 

Author Editor
Date April 2022

Dr Aravind Surapaneni is Deputy Director – Industry for the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource” based at RMIT Bundoora campus.

In addition, Aravind is a Program Manager for IWN’s Biosolids and Resource Recovery Program.

He is also Principal Scientist Soils, Biosolids and Groundwater at South East Water where his role is to drive recycled water, biosolids, waste management, soils and groundwater programs that will contribute to the understanding and management of product risk.  He is responsible for leading water industry and academic research programs and collaborations at state and national level.

Aravind also develops business opportunities and creates industry-focused strategies to deal with common industry problems with an aim to developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to water industry.

From August 2022 until February this year, Aravind had the opportunity to attend 6 conferences in Australia and the UK. He presented his talk to update us on what he learned from these opportunities and to knowledge-share key aspects with industry.

Our recording of Aravind’s presentation and his slides can be found on our Partners & Friends Sharepoint: 4 – Dr Aravind Surapaneni – National & International Perspectives on the Future of Biosolids

Our thanks for a great presentation!

Author Editor
Date April 2022

We were delighted to have the opportunity to include a presentation by Dr Laura Carter from the University of Leeds in our Seminar series during her recent visit to RMIT,  hosted by EPA Victoria.

Laura spoke on ‘The fate of pharmaceuticals in agro-ecosystems’.

Dr Laura Carter is an Associate Professor in Soil and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Leeds. Laura was appointed to the University of Leeds in 2018 as a University Academic Fellow under the ‘250 great minds’ initiative, a five-year development programme for promising early career scientists.

Laura’s research focuses on understanding the risks of emerging contaminants in the natural environment, with particular interests in chemical fate in soil-plant systems, the role of the environment in the development of antimicrobial resistance, and sub-lethal effects of pollutants on soil and plant health. Laura has secured grant income > £3 million and includes a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to investigate the risks of pharmaceuticals in agricultural systems, following land application of sludges and wastewater.

In 2019 Laura was acknowledged as an Emerging Investigator, by the Royal Society of Chemistry publication, Environmental Science Processes and Impacts. For her work on pharmaceuticals in the environment, Laura has also been appointed as an Editorial Board Member for the journal Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology and elected as a member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) UK steering committee.

Most recently, Laura has been appointed to the Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC) to advise Defra on how to protect the environment, and human health via the environment, from potentially hazardous substances.

Our recording of Laura’s presentation can be found on our Partners & Friends Sharepoint: 3 – Dr Laura Carter – The fate of pharmaceuticals in agro-ecosystems

Our thanks for a great presentation!

Author Editor
Date March 2022

With the upcoming Transforming Biosolids Annual Symposium due to feature many of our researcher’s current work, our Seminar series featured a presentation for all our Training Centre researchers from our Theme 3 lead, Professor Damien Batstone on how to write, and also review, conference Abstracts.

Professor Damien Batstone is Director of the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology at University of Queensland, where he leads environmental biotechnology and resource recovery research programmes. His research work has focused on renewable energy from biomass, production of commodity chemicals from renewable sources, and the water-energy-food nexus, including production of novel chemicals and feeds for aquaculture from gases such as hydrogen. He joined UQ in 2006 as a research group leader, following previous positions at Danish Technical University, and Lund University, and has had a long association with Water Research, having served on the editorial board for over 15 years.

Damien’s presentation provided a practical guide on the key elements required in an Abstract and provided researchers with a template to follow.

Our recording of Damien’s presentation and his Abstract template can be found on our Partners & Friends Sharepoint: 2 – Prof Damien Batstone – How to Write and Review abstracts and publications

Our thanks for a great presentation!

Author Editor
Date March 2022

We were delighted to kick off our 2023 seminar series on International Womens Day with a presentation from Tracey Slatter, Managing Director of Barwon Water and Barwon Asset Solutions.

Tracey is also a Board Director of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Victoria), and Water Services Association of Australia, and the Deputy Chair of the Barwon Regional Partnership. Tracey has extensive and diverse executive public sector leadership experience including as Chief Executive Officer at the City of Port Phillip, Head of Claims at the Transport Accident Commission, Chief Executive Officer at Colac Otway Shire and Director of Primary and Community Health with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

Tracey holds postgraduate qualifications in business leadership and a Master of Commerce. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Tracey is also a certified Level 2 Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL) coach.

 

Tracey presented on the subject: “Inclusion and Diversity – A transformational journey at Barwon Water”.

Tracey’s presentation referenced Barwon Water’s Belonging@Barwon Water Inclusion Action Plan at the following link: https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/about-us/policies-and-governance/belonging-@-barwon-water-inclusion-action-plan

Tracey is a transformational leader who listens to and partners with customers, the community and key stakeholders to identify and act on new opportunities and challenges. She has the distinctive ability to innovate in traditional sectors, delivering exceptional outcomes and services that build trust and confidence. Tracey is committed to good governance and high performance, appreciating the unique talents and perspectives of every person through inclusion and diversity.

The recording of Tracey’s presentation and the Belonging at Barwon Inclusion Action Plan can be found on our Partners & Friends Sharepoint site: 1 – Tracey Slatter – International Women’s Day Seminar

Our thanks for a great presentation!