Young Professional to Develop Research in Hydrogeology, Hydrochemistry, and Numerical Modeling of Multicomponent Reactive Transport in Groundwater

Young Investigators Awards at the Geological Institute of the State of São Paulo (IG-SP), Brazil

Job description

The São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP) seeks a young professional to develop research at the Geological Institute of the State of São Paulo (IG) in hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, and numerical modeling of multicomponent reactive transport in groundwater. IG is part of the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Environment of the State of São Paulo (Brazil) with the mission of developing science to solve problems in geological and environmental engineering, paleontology, groundwater, mineral resources, climatology, and geomorphology.

Candidates must be at the beginning of a promising scientific career, with proven postdoctoral experience, and highly motivated to develop high impact research, with dissemination in international scientific publications.

FAPESP, through the Young Program Research Program (https://fapesp.br/en/yia), is prepared to offer: (i) a research grant of BRL 8,377.50 (excluding income tax), with a maximum duration of 48 months; (ii) air expenses to move from the place of residence to São Paulo City; (iii) initial expenses (Settlement Aid) of BRL 8,377.50; and (iv) fringe benefits of BRL 48,000.00 to cover expenses of participation in scientific or technological meetings and in short-term research internships outside the State of São Paulo.

The peer-reviewed project of the assigned Young Investigator may receive a Research Grant, which may include funds for research equipment, consumables, supplies, travels abroad, and fellowships for students.

Position summary

Nitrate contamination is one of the most serious problems affecting urban aquifers in Brazil. This is particularly the case in the city of Bauru, where part of the population is supplied by groundwater. This research project will seek to establish the relationship between urban occupation, contaminants' behavior in the aquifer, as well as their impacts on water sources, suggesting efficient management tools to mitigate this problem.

The main focuses of the research are addressed to answering the following questions: i) What is the nitrogen load reaching the surface and groundwater resources in the urban and peri-urban areas?; ii) How do the patterns of urban occupation and the growth of cities affect groundwater quality, mainly concerning nitrate concentrations?; iii) What are the physical and biogeochemical processes involved in the transport and behavior of nitrogen species in aquifers and their relationship to the human occupation?

This study will be part of a larger project, in preparation, that will count on the participation of renowned researchers from Brazil (University of Sao Paulo, Geological Institute, Technological Research Institute - IPT, Federal University of São Paulo – UNIFESP and São Paulo Environmental Agency - CETESB); Canada (Water Institute, University of Waterloo), and Japan (Hiroshima University, Okayama University).

Eligibility criteria

1. To have a Ph.D. and postdoctoral title, with experience in hydrogeochemistry OR numerical modeling of multi-component reactive transport in groundwater.
2. To have an outstanding research record, demonstrated through publications in the last five years.
3. To demonstrate successful experience as a researcher, after PhD, for at least 2 years, in a research group outside Brazil and internationally competitive
4. The language skills: English, Spanish OR Portuguese.

Selection process

Please submit your application electronically, including the following documents:

1. A motivation letter (200 words maximum in one page);
2. Curriculum vitae (maximum in three pages): the candidate's curriculum, with proven experience on the project-subject, is the key element in the selection process. The CV should present experience and highlighted publications in indexed scientific journals according to FAPESP instructions (short CV FAPESP Instructions - http://www.fapesp.br/en/6351);
3. Three recommendation letters.
4. All the documents should be preferably sent as a SINGLE “.PDF” archive. The application should be addressed electronically to Dr. Claudia Varnier (email: claudia.varnier@sp.gov.br).
5. A short-listed of three candidates will be invited then to submit a short research proposal (4,000 characters maximum in two pages) based on the position described above.
6. The final candidate for the position will be selected according to the curriculum vitae and a personal interview by videoconference. The selected candidate will be invited then, to submit a full research proposal accordingly to the FAPESP Guidelines.

Areas of research position

• Hydrogeology
• Hydrogeochemistry
• Numerical modeling of multi-component reactive transport in groundwater

Workplace

Geological Institute, São Paulo City

Deadline for sending the documents

February 14th 2021