RESEARCH TECHNICIAN (RT_4SM)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOB

• Location: ICRA – Catalan Water Research Institute Foundation, Girona (Spain)
• Number of positions available: 1
• Scheduled start: June 1, 2025
• Temporary Position. The position is for 2 months until the completion of the project.
• Annual Gross Salary: €25,693.00

 

 

OFFER DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a highly motivated Research Technician with experience in data treatment and prediction tools-benchmarking to evaluate the performance of quality control algorithms, to work on the “4SM. Implementation of sensors in sewer systems for sustainable management” project.

 

The 4SM project is part of the R&D&i projects call in strategic lines in public-private collaboration (Project PLEC2021-007794 (4SM) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union NextGenerationEU/ PRTR). Topic 21: Predictive maintenance of infrastructures using intelligent systems. State Research Agency, Ministry of Science and Innovation/ and the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR.

The main objective of 4SM is to create a new set of sensors and tools for the advanced and sustainable management of sewer systems. 4SM addresses four of the most important challenges for optimal sewer management, which are: i) promoting the digitalization process of sewer networks, ii) improving the capabilities of current monitoring tools, iii) exploring the recovery of resources and energy from sewer systems, and iv) developing highly innovative solutions for controlling corrosion, toxicity, and odors.

4SM contributes to maximizing the performance of urban water systems in relation to: i) reducing environmental impact; ii) alerting against the risk of flooding; iii) the resilience of infrastructures to climate change; iv) efficient use of resources; and v) long-term management of capital infrastructure assets.

 

 

KEY DUTIES

The position involves carrying out technical activities for the project, including selecting, applying, and evaluating the performance of appropriate predictive data methods and models to detect and predict critical episodes in wastewater systems, such as: incorrect system operation (overloads, failures), sensor drift (systematic measurement deviations), pollution episodes (e.g., unauthorized discharges), and the effects of storms or floods that impact drainage capacity.

The candidate will need to apply benchmarking tools to evaluate the performance of data treatment and prediction algorithms. The technician will work on WP1, performing complex but homogeneous tasks, following general instructions from their supervisors to meet the objectives set in the final phase of the project.

Tasks include developing data preprocessing techniques for sensors in wastewater systems, such as anomaly detection, managing missing data, and correcting systematic sensor deviations, as well as applying these techniques to historical and real-time data from cities like Girona and Manresa; evaluating predictive methods to identify critical episodes, validating model performance with real data from flow, water level, and chemical quality sensors; implementing benchmarking tools to evaluate algorithms and define evaluation metrics; developing a structured methodology to assess the effectiveness of algorithms applied to urban wastewater systems, and collaborating on report writing.

The planned tasks will begin on June 1, 2025, and will extend until the project’s completion on July 31, 2025.

 

 

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Must have – Required

Research Field or Field of knowledge:

Computer engineering, data science

Qualifications and Education Level:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering or equivalent.

Master’s degree or currently enrolled in a Master’s program related to data science.

Skills:

Experience in modeling and data analysis applied to water and the environment.

Data preprocessing and quality, experience working with predictive models, data science tools and technologies, and programming languages such as Python, R, SQL.

Also, knowledge of benchmarking, algorithm validation, and data management in urban systems.

Required Languages:

Catalan, English, Spanish

Required Experience:

6 months of experience in data analysis projects.

 

Desirable

Experience in specific applications in water and wastewater systems is desirable.

 

 

BENEFITS

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.

 

 

APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE & PROCESS

All Applications must be contain:

CV

Motivation letter

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.

Academic Degrees

Deadline for Applications:

Submission of applications at ICRA – Offers

The deadline to submit the required documentation is 24/04/2025

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 equality of opportunity and treatment is promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, creating a context favorable to diversity and to eradicate any type of direct or indirect discrimination based on age criteria (within the limits set by the Workers’ Statute), marital status, racial or ethnic origin, social status, religion or convictions, political tendency, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender expression, sexual characteristics, union membership or not, because of language, disability or because of sex, including any unfavorable treatment dispensed for the exercise of conciliation rights or co-responsibility of family and work life .

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 February 9, 1976 and everything set out in the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of March 4, 2005, approving the Plan for Gender Equality in the General Administration of the State.

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.

Ensures effective compliance with the rights to equal treatment and non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity, gender expression or sexual characteristics of LGBTI people in the ICRA workplace, in accordance with Royal Decree 1026/ 2024, of October 8, which develops the planned set of measures for equality and non-discrimination of LGBTI people in companies.

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