UK: PhD Studentship in Water Safety Network - Implementing Risk Based Management to Water Safety in Less Developed Countries, Cranfield University
PhD studentship: Water safety network - implementing risk based management to water safety in less developed countries. Supported by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and International Water Association (IWA), a bursary of up to £17,000 p.a. plus fees is available. Conditions apply*
Academic Supervisors:
Dr Jen Smith and Professor Simon Pollard, Centre for Water Science, Cranfield University
Project Details:
The provision of good safe drinking water is vital to ensure the health and wellbeing of the consumer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Water Association (IWA) have published guidelines on water safety, which are to be implemented through Water Safety Plans (WSPs). Water safety depends on the design, management and operation of the water source, water treatment and water distribution, and WSPs take all these factors into consideration through comprehensive risk-assessment and management. Currently WSPs are largely restricted to affluent nations. Their application in low-income countries has obvious advantages but is as yet untested.
The aim of this project is to transfer the knowledge of risk management to water providers in less-developed countries in ways that ensure it is adopted and used sustainably. This is to ensure the goal of safe drinking water provision is secured.
Specific questions addressed in this research will include:
* Do existing self-assessment models appropriately address all elements of a supply system in both urban and rural regions in less-developed countries?
Are existing self-assessment models suitably flexible to account for non steady-state conditions (real time risks)?
* What web-based resources do a global network of water providers need to help them deliver safe drinking water?
* How can these resources be effectively communicated to be of use to water providers in less-developed nations?
In order to address the above questions, the successful student will spend approximately 9 months on secondment to different water utilities in developed and less-developed countries in addition to spending 3 months working with the IWA, a global network of professionals spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. In addition to these secondments, the research will involve trialling the existing self-assessment models and establishing and pilot testing the web-based resources to be made available to water utilities.
The research is part funded by the IWA and a partnership of global water utilities. The partnership is made up of utilities which have subscribed to the Bonn Charter for safe drinking water (2004) and are working toward assessing the hazards and risks associated with the delivery of safe drinking water. This network of utilities will have access to self assessment models and web-based resources to ensure implementation of the Bonn Charter.
The student will be working within a growing multi-disciplinary team in Cranfield University’s Centre for Water Science, an internationally recognised centre of excellence that undertakes consultancy, research and training in the science, engineering and management of water in the municipal, industrial and natural environments. The Centre is active in researching water and international development as well as risk-based approaches to water safety.
*Value of Award:
Sponsored by EPSRC and the International Water Association (IWA), this studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only and provide a bursary of up to £17,000 dependent on qualifications, experience and project. Details of overseas student fees are available online.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants should have a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant science-related discipline.
Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: 4 August 2007
For application details and how to apply, please visit the official announcement.
Academic Supervisors:
Dr Jen Smith and Professor Simon Pollard, Centre for Water Science, Cranfield University
Project Details:
The provision of good safe drinking water is vital to ensure the health and wellbeing of the consumer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Water Association (IWA) have published guidelines on water safety, which are to be implemented through Water Safety Plans (WSPs). Water safety depends on the design, management and operation of the water source, water treatment and water distribution, and WSPs take all these factors into consideration through comprehensive risk-assessment and management. Currently WSPs are largely restricted to affluent nations. Their application in low-income countries has obvious advantages but is as yet untested.
The aim of this project is to transfer the knowledge of risk management to water providers in less-developed countries in ways that ensure it is adopted and used sustainably. This is to ensure the goal of safe drinking water provision is secured.
Specific questions addressed in this research will include:
* Do existing self-assessment models appropriately address all elements of a supply system in both urban and rural regions in less-developed countries?
Are existing self-assessment models suitably flexible to account for non steady-state conditions (real time risks)?
* What web-based resources do a global network of water providers need to help them deliver safe drinking water?
* How can these resources be effectively communicated to be of use to water providers in less-developed nations?
In order to address the above questions, the successful student will spend approximately 9 months on secondment to different water utilities in developed and less-developed countries in addition to spending 3 months working with the IWA, a global network of professionals spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. In addition to these secondments, the research will involve trialling the existing self-assessment models and establishing and pilot testing the web-based resources to be made available to water utilities.
The research is part funded by the IWA and a partnership of global water utilities. The partnership is made up of utilities which have subscribed to the Bonn Charter for safe drinking water (2004) and are working toward assessing the hazards and risks associated with the delivery of safe drinking water. This network of utilities will have access to self assessment models and web-based resources to ensure implementation of the Bonn Charter.
The student will be working within a growing multi-disciplinary team in Cranfield University’s Centre for Water Science, an internationally recognised centre of excellence that undertakes consultancy, research and training in the science, engineering and management of water in the municipal, industrial and natural environments. The Centre is active in researching water and international development as well as risk-based approaches to water safety.
*Value of Award:
Sponsored by EPSRC and the International Water Association (IWA), this studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only and provide a bursary of up to £17,000 dependent on qualifications, experience and project. Details of overseas student fees are available online.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants should have a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant science-related discipline.
Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: 4 August 2007
For application details and how to apply, please visit the official announcement.
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