SPECIALIST RESEACH TECHNICIAN (TecEsp_TREASURE)

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOB

• Job location: ICRA – Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona (Spain)
• Number of positions available: 1
• Expected start: 01/01/2027
• Expected duration of the contract: 3 months (extensibles to 10 months depending on a granted extension of the project).
• Gross Annual Salary package: € 24,000 – € 40,000

 

 

 

 

The contract is part of action PCI2024-153494, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Agency and, where appropriate, the European Union (Treasure Project-PCI2024-153494 funded by MICIU /AEI/10.13039/501100011033/EU).

OFFER DESCRIPTION

ICRA is looking for a technical research specialist to carry out WP3 (Recovered wastewater allocation: quality issues and modelling) of the TREASURE Project.

Tasks:

1)      Identification of reclaimed water availability, and the chances for reuse within the basins in NE Catalonia: Ter, Fluvià, Muga and Tordera under droughts: agricultural irrigation, aquifer recharge and urban uses, and the expected downstream consequences.

2)      Calculation of quantitative risk assessment for environment and human health considering different reuse scenarios and use of reclaimed water3.

3)      Development of multi-criteria assessment (MCA) model and a Decision Support System (DSS) for reclaimed water reuse using GIS tools, based on hydrogeological, socio-economic and environmental criteria, taking into account water availability and needs under drought scenarios.

Methodology:

1. a) Gathering information on wastewater treatment in each basin regarding the available amounts, its quality and the chances of reuse within the three catchments of study, field work and interviews with local agents,
2. b) Contrast the availability of reclaimed water and its quality under future drought conditions and its capability to warrant allocated water resources.
3. c) Assessment of the environmental and human-health risk during different water reuse scenarios by calculation of quantitative chemical risk assessment (QCRA) for selected/target contaminants and pathogens regarded as relevant for the investigated case studies under drought conditions.
4. d) GIS modelling supporting MCA and DSS assessment of the potential reclaimed wastewater reuse opportunities under drought scenarios.

KEY DUTIES

1. Inventory of wastewater discharges into the riverbed within the study basins, compilation of quality databases, fieldwork and interviews with local actors,
2. Conceptualization of the use of riverbed discharges as an alternative resource for aquifer recharge during periods of drought
3. Creation of a DSS (Decision Support System) that allows the management of discharges to be evaluated from the perspective of quantity and quality to optimize reclaimed wastewater resources.
4. Generate academic publications.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Must have – Required

Research Field or Field of knowledge:

Water Resources, Civil Engineering (hydraulic, water reuse, biological processes)

Qualifications and Education Level:

Minimum university degree

Valuable Master’s Degree

Skills:

Treatment of data corresponding to wastewater and hydrogeological environment.

Conceptualization and creation of decision support systems.

Ability to program in R-Studio, Python or other languages.

Required Languages:

English, Catalan, Spanish

Required Experience:

Treatment of data corresponding to wastewater and hydrogeological environment.

Conceptualization and creation of decision support systems.

Ability to program in R-Studio, Python or other languages.

Experience on having conducted projects on these topics.

Desirable

Catalan language knowledge, sufficient to interact with local people.

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; the CV must be written according to the AEI templates (maximum: 6 pages, provide only Scopus indexes);

Motivation letter; In the motivation letter, refer your CV, experience and expectations to the items related to this call that can be positively evaluated. Unrelated information will not be taken into account.

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 Degree

Application forms from candidates with a field of knowledge distinct from those stated above will be immediately rejected.

Deadline for Applications:

Submission of applications at ICRA – Offers

The deadline to submit the required documentation is November 6th, 2026.

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

In 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 between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such age, sex, marital status, race, ethnicity, disabilities, political leanings or sexual orientation. 

Recruitment will be carried out as provided for in Article 15 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/1995 of 24 March passing the text of the Workers’ Statute Act, in accordance with the provisions of Article  2 of Royal Decree 2720/98 of 18 December (B.O.E. 8 January 1999), Act nº 12/2001 of July 9 (B.O.E. 10 July) and concordant regulations.

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 the provisions of the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of March 4, 2005, passing the Plan for gender equality in the General State Administration.

Universal accessibility for persons with disabilities is taken into account, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 1 of Act nº 51/2003 of 2 December on equal opportunities, and 7% of vacancies are reserved provided the candidates pass the selection processes and are able to accredit disability and compatibility in performing the tasks so that we will progressively reach 2% of the total workforce.

Basic information on Data Protection Responsible: Fundació Institut Català de Recerca de l’Aigua (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 the additional and detailed information on Data Protection on our website: http://www.icra.cat/politica-de-privacidad