Junior researcher Water Infrastructure (32-40 hours)

About the position

In this position, you will realize various research and implementation projects in the field of modeling water quality, water distribution, transport and/or asset management. You will bridge the gap between theory and practice by identifying opportunities for the developed knowledge and tools and implementing them in practice. Because you also support water companies during the implementation phase, you have direct sight into the impact of your work.

You work will include:

• Using existing tools (such as EPANET, Gondwana, COMSOL) and developing new tools for solving issues in the field of optimal design, pipe replacement forecasts and monitoring water quality in the pipeline network;
• Implementing methods and tools at drinking water companies;
• Translating knowledge and practical use/practice into codes of practice and supporting the drinking water sector in advocacy in standards committees;
• Co-writing proposals and reports and supporting in making and giving presentations based on the research carried out;
• Working together with colleagues in the team Water Infrastructure, colleagues in other teams at KWR and with experts from drinking water companies.

Your profile

You are an enthusiastic and driven practice-oriented researcher. You have knowledge of the practice of drinking water distribution and you are aware of developments in the sector. You can translate scientific research results into practice and you can translate questions from practice into a research need, in the short and long term. You enjoy contributing to the anchoring of acquired (new) knowledge and supporting in the presentation and publication of the results of successful implementations.

In order to be able to perform this function in the desired manner:

• You have completed an academic education in an exact field (for example civil engineering, physics or measurement and control technology);
• Do you have a PhD or a master’s degree supplemented with at least 2 years of relevant work experience (drinking water company/sector, engineering firm) or related (energy sector);
• Is your focus on modeling;
• Do you have an excellent command of the English language (level C2) in speech and writing.

Furthermore, it is an advantage if you can speak Dutch.

If you do not meet the full profile but you are enthusiastic about this position? We would also like to receive your motivation and CV.

Our offer to you

We attach great importance to personal growth and career development and offer various opportunities for this, such as good on-boarding and the opportunity to follow various courses and skills training. A good work/life balance is our top priority. KWR has excellent primary and secondary employment conditions and is affiliated with the cao Watercompanies (including a Flexible Employment Conditions Budget of 22,11%).

In addition, you can carry out your practical work in a sustainable built glass building, which is designed for cooperation and knowledge sharing between colleagues, teams and business contacts. Working partly from home is also possible (in consultation). With this function and our profile, KWR offers a special working environment.

The team

The Water Infrastructure team consists of twelve specialists with widely varying expertise. Challenging research projects on drinking water quality, quantity and pipe materials are our world. Our projects aim to support drinking water companies in the smart and sustainable design and maintenance of the pipe network with optimum  security of supply and water quality on tap.

We develop knowledge and new tools – models, analysis methods – that enable water companies to realise and maintain optimum water quality in the pipe network and sustainable supply.

About KWR

KWR is an internationally renowned research institute in the field of water quality, water system thinking and sustainable (nature) development. ‘Brigding science to practice’ is our mission. From our almost completely sustainable building with ‘state of the art’ laboratories, our approximately 200 employees from two knowledge groups, work on innovative projects in the Netherlands and increasingly  in and outside Europe. The ten Dutch drinking water companies and the Belgian ‘De Watergroep’ are our shareholders.

Our researchers work at the intersection of science, implementation practice, business and society. Their strength lies in the translation of scientific knowledge into applicable practical solutions. To support the research, KWR has specialized laboratories, a test hall, test ponds and pilot installations are built under its own management.

 

Are you the junior researcher we are looking for to join our team Water Infrastructure? Do you want to contribute, advance the natural and water sciences and work with us on a sustainable society? Please send your motivation letter and CV before 31 December 2024 to , referring to vacancy number 240350. The first interviews will be held in weeks 3 and 4 of January 2025.

 

More information

For more detailed information about the content of this position, please contact Mirjam Blokker (team leader) by telephone 030 6069 533 or by email .

For more information about the application procedure, please contact José van Lieshout (HR advisor) by telephone 030 6069 536 or by e-mail .