Technology and Development Engineer – Specialized Research Technician (TR_FOREVER-WATER)

European Commission; Palma de Mallorca; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Catalan Institute for Water Research seeks a Technology & Development Engineer to engage in cutting-edge environmental projects targeting persistent water contaminants. Join a collaborative team working on a pioneering electrochemical water treatment system using graphene technology, aimed at significantly enhancing sustainability in water resources management.

Servicios

Access to unique experimental infrastructure

Continuous training in research environment

Collaborative international work environment

Formación

• Experienced with environmental engineering and electrochemical water treatment systems.
• Practical knowledge in data collection, interpretation, and reporting.
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative research environments.

Responsabilidades

• Operate and validate a pilot-scale electrochemical treatment prototype.
• Identify design improvements and optimize operational parameters.
• Collect and analyze process data for system enhancement.

Conocimientos

Electrochemistry

Water treatment technologies

Data analysis

Experimental design

Technical research environment skills

Educación

Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Herramientas

CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks)

Descripción del empleo

Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA)

Organisation / Company Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) Research Field Engineering » Water resources engineering Engineering » Chemical engineering Technology » Environmental technology Chemistry » Other Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Master Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 15 Jul 2025 - 23 : 59 (Europe / Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number project 101213696 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOB

• Location : ICRA – Catalan Water Research Institute Foundation, Girona (Spain)
• Number of positions available : 1
• Expected start : 01 / 09 / 2025
• Expected contract duration : 3 years (or until the end of the project)
• This offer and contract are subject to the availability of financial funds and to the effective start of the Project (expected date 01 / 09 / 2025).

OFFER DESCRIPTION

ICRA is seeking to hire a motivated and hands-on Technology & Development Engineer with a strong background in water treatment systems and environmental engineering, to join the FOREVER WATER project (101213696), funded by European Union, European Innovation Council (EIC).

The EIC Transition program aims to mature and validate breakthrough technologies and bring them closer to market deployment. FOREVER WATER builds on results from two prestigious European Research Council (ERC) projects — ELECTRON4WATER and GRAPHEC — which led to the development and patenting of a novel electrochemical water treatment system enabled by graphene sponge electrodes.

This unique graphene-based technology is capable of degrading extremely persistent and toxic water contaminants, in particular per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme environmental persistence, are present in water, air, soil, and even the human body, originating from decades of use in consumer and industrial products. PFAS exposure has been linked to severe health effects including cancer, infertility, and immunotoxicity, with estimated annual health-related costs in Europe of €52–84 billion. Currently available technologies for PFAS destruction in water suffer from low efficiency and high energy demand when dealing with real PFAS-contaminated waste streams, as well as low operational feasibility (e.g., they require high temperatures and pressures, and are difficult to operate in continuous mode), and overall low sustainability.

FOREVER WATER project aims to develop further graphene-enabled electrochemical systems for PFAS destruction, advance the technology to technology readiness level (TRL) 6 and deliver a minimum viable product (MVP) by : i) further development of the graphene sponge electrode material to improve the process scalability and current distribution, ii) process optimization and system integration in the selected test beds, iii) continuous techno-economic assessment (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the devices, and benchmarking against commercially available competing technologies in water and wastewater treatment sector.

The project is coordinated by ICRA and involves an outstanding international consortium, including CEA-Leti (France), Fraunhofer IKTS (Germany), and Amphos 21 (Spain).

The hands-on engineer or applied researcher is expected to have a strong background in environmental engineering and wastewater treatment systems, preferentially also in the domain of electrochemical water and wastewater treatment.

The main goal will be to test and improve our first-generation prototype based on our graphene-enabled electrode materials through real-world application and iterative development. The pilot system will be thoroughly evaluated for electrochemical oxidation of PFAS in different types of contaminated water (e.g., groundwater, landfill leachate, semiconductor wastewater).

This position offers the unique opportunity to work on a cutting-edge technology with the potential to make a significant environmental impact by addressing some of the most persistent contaminants in water systems.

You will be part of a forward-thinking team committed to bringing innovative, science-based solutions into the real world. Our team brings together experts in electrochemistry, environmental engineering, materials science, and applied research, offering a collaborative setting where scientific and technical excellence are highly valued.

The role offers the chance to contribute meaningfully to applied R&D activities, working closely with both leading researchers and industrial partners. You will be actively involved in shaping a technology that is moving from lab to field, with access to unique experimental infrastructure and real-world applications.

As the project evolves toward commercialization, there will be the opportunity to grow professionally alongside it, taking on new responsibilities and contributing to its long-term success. The salary will depend on the candidate’s previous experience, evaluated by the members of the Internal Research Committee and the chair of the Selection Committee.

KEY DUTIES

1.- Operate and validate the performance of a pilot-scale electrochemical treatment prototype in laboratory and field settings.

2.- Identify design improvements and contribute to the development of next-generation systems, including reactor design optimization, hydraulic configurations, and energy efficiency.

3.- Optimize operational parameters and treatment conditions, through systematic experimentation and data analysis.

4.- Support system integration, working on coupling the technology with complementary processes such as influent pre-concentration steps or post-treatment polishing units.

5.- Commission and operate the prototype at external test sites, including installation, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring in real environments.

6.- Collect and analyze data, and work closely with researchers to feed results back into the design and development process.

7.- Contribute to applied research activities, including short experimental campaigns, reporting, and knowledge dissemination within the team and project partners.

Research Field Engineering » Water resources engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Chemical engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Technology » Environmental technology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry » Other Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills / Qualifications

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Must have – Required

Research Field or Field of knowledge :

Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Technology, Electrochemistry

Qualifications and Education Level :

Applicants must have a Bachelor, Masters or PhD on the topics related to the call.

Experience in the field of environmental or electrochemical water treatment, whether gained through research, pilot plant operation, or engineering projects, is highly valued.

Skills : Technical Skills

Understanding of electrochemical processes and / or water treatment technologies

Basic proficiency with instrumentation, sensors, and process control systems

Ability to interpret process data and identify performance trends

Practical knowledge and skills in a technical research environment, in science and / or engineering disciplines

Ability to efficiently learn new skills and gain knowledge within the scope of the position

Ability to work effectively and independently with limited supervision, and as a member of a team

Analytical & Research Skills

Experimental design and optimization of operational parameters

Ability to attend to detail

Data collection, interpretation, and reporting

Ability to translate experimental findings into design improvements

Critical thinking

Good communication and organisational skills and ability to meet objectives within set deadlines

Trouble-shooting attitude

Openness to collaborating with internal and external partners of the project is required.

Required Languages :

Applicants must be proficient in English, both written and oral. Spanish, Catalan.

Required Experience :

The call is open to Bachelor, Master or PhD students with at least 2+ years of relative experience.

• Familiarity with CAD software for mechanical design (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) is a plus
• Knowledge of reactor hydraulics, fluid dynamics, or system integration is an asset
• Hands-on experience with prototypes, pilot systems, or process equipment is a plus

Languages SPANISH

Languages CATALAN

Research Field Environmental science » Water scienceChemistry » Other Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Working conditions : Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity / paternity leaves and injuries at work.

International Environment : The opportunity to join a prestigious international research institution and become a member of a young and growing team.

Continuous training in a high-quality environment.

Selection process

APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE & PROCESS

All Applications must be contain :

DNI or NIE (valid and with work permit in Spain). If you do not have a NIE, please attach a statement that you commit to take the necessary steps to obtain a work and residence permit in Spain.

The deadline to submit the required documentation is 15 / 07 / 2025

Selection process :

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

Additional comments

At ICRA we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities are promoted between women and men in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination by criteria of age, sex, marital status, race, ethnicity, disabilities, political tendency or sexual orientation.

The recruitment will be carried out in accordance with everything provided for in Article 15 of Royal Legislative Decree 1 / 1995, of March 24, which approves the text of the Workers’ Statute Law, in accordance with what establishes Article 2 of Royal Decree 2720 / 98, of December 18 (BOE, January 8, 1999), Law No. 12 / 2001, of July 9 (BOE, July 10) and corresponding rules.

The principle of equality between men and women is taken into account, in accordance with Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution, the EU Directive of 9 February 1976 and everything set out in the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of March 4, 2005, whereby the Plan for Gender Equality in the General Administration of the State is approved.

The universal accessibility of people with disabilities is taken into account, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 1 of Law No. 51 / 2003, of December 2, on equal opportunities, and it is reserved 7% of the places as long as the candidates pass the selection process and can prove their disability and compatibility in the performance of the tasks, so that we will gradually reach 2% of the total workforce.

Basic information on Data Protection Responsible : Catalan Water Research Institute Foundation (ICRA); Purpose : The selection of candidates for current and future jobs offered by our organization; Rights : You have the right to access, rectify and delete the data, as well as other rights indicated in the additional information; Additional information : You can consult additional and detailed information on Data Protection on our website :

Number of offers available 1 Company / Institute Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) Country Spain Geofield

Emili Grahit 101, H2O Building, Science and Technology Park of the University of Girona

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