Integrating Mechanistic and Machine Learning Models for Monitoring High-Risk Substances in Wast[...]

Integrating Mechanistic and Machine Learning Models for Monitoring High-Risk Substances in Wastewater

Job Type: Graduate

Job Rank: PhD position

Job Institution: University of Waterloo

Job Description: Dr. Maricor Arlos and Dr. Wayne Parker from Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo are looking to supervise a PhD student starting January 2026. The student will work in an interdisciplinary environment, with researchers from biology, chemistry, and environmental engineering. This opportunity is part of a larger project addressing high-risk substances in wastewater systems.

Research Topic: The larger project addresses the current crisis of high-risk substances (drugs-of-abuse) by providing a reliable alternative way to track trends, so our public health system has an alternative tool to support their Harm Reduction programs. Using a combination of machine learning and mechanistic modelling approaches, the PhD student will develop tools for estimating micropollutant inputs to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their removal through the plants. Integration with water quality models developed by our research team to assess risks in receiving environments will provide an opportunity for collaborative research.

Scope of Research Activities:

1. Collection of historical data (2014 – 2024) including WWTP operational parameters, weather conditions, sales/consumption data.
2. Data integration (databases), data cleaning and exploratory data analysis (visualization, correlations).
3. Initialization, application, and evaluation of several machine learning (ML) model algorithms.
4. Comparison of ML with existing mechanistic models (framework developed previously).
5. Integration of source, WWTP process, and river models in a single model architecture.
6. Field work may be required, including Grand River water survey to collect river samples for model validation.

Salary/Stipend: Minimum funding of $30,000 per year for up to four years. International students in a full-time PhD program receive an International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA), to minimize the difference between international and domestic tuition. Students are eligible for additional scholarships and awards. Graduate students at UW have access to benefits including a health and dental plan, subsidized access to the local transit system, and support for graduate students who are parents.

Why University of Waterloo? The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo is one of the world’s top engineering schools, and Canada’s largest. With a global reputation for academic excellence and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Waterloo Engineering is the place to be for graduate students. UW is Canada’s Most Innovative University (Maclean’s 2022) and is also ranked #1 in Canada for environmental science and engineering (Academic Work Ranking of Universities, 2023).

Typical Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in civil or environmental engineering (or a related field).
• Prior experience with micropollutant research is desirable.
• Meet admission requirements set by the University of Waterloo.