April 1, 2025
Position: 1 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Start Date: January 2026
Project: Integrating Mechanistic and Machine Learning Models for Monitoring High-Risk Substances in Wastewater
Dr. Maricor Arlos and Dr. Wayne Parker from Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo are looking to supervise a PhD student starting January 2026. The student will work in an interdisciplinary environment, with researchers from biology, chemistry, and environmental engineering. This opportunity is part of a larger project addressing high-risk substances in wastewater systems.
Research Topic: The larger project addresses the current crisis of high-risk substances (drugs-of-abuse) by providing a reliable alternative way to track trends, so our public health system has an alternative tool to support their Harm Reduction programs. Using a combination of machine learning and mechanistic modelling approaches, the PhD student will develop tools for estimating micropollutant inputs to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their removal through the plants. Integration with water quality models developed by our research team to assess risks in receiving environments will provide an opportunity for collaborative research.
Scope of research activities: collection of historical data (2014 – 2024) including WWTP operational parameters, weather conditions, sales/consumption data; data integration (databases), data cleaning and exploratory data analysis (visualization, correlations); initialization, application, and evaluation of several machine learning (ML) model algorithms; comparison of ML with existing mechanistic models (framework developed previously); integration of source, WWTP process, and river models in a single model architecture; field work may be required as part of the Grand River water survey to collect river samples for model validation.
Salary/Stipend: Minimum funding of $30,000 per year for up to four years. International students in a full-time PhD program receive an International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA), to minimize the difference between international and domestic tuition. Students are eligible for additional scholarships and awards. Graduate students at UW have access to benefits including a health and dental plan, subsidized access to the local transit system, and support for graduate students who are parents.
Why University of Waterloo? The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo is one of the world’s top engineering schools, and Canada’s largest. With a global reputation for academic excellence and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Waterloo Engineering is the place to be for graduate students. UW is Canada’s Most Innovative University (Maclean’s 2022) and is also ranked #1 in Canada for environmental science and engineering (Academic Work Ranking of Universities, 2023).
Typical minimum qualifications:
• Master’s degree in civil or environmental engineering (or a related field)
• Prior experience with micropollutant research is desirable
• Meet admission requirements set by the University of Waterloo.
How to apply: Please submit complete this form to indicate your interest in the position. Only complete applications submitted via this online form will be considered. For more questions, please send email to Maricor Arlos: maricor.arlos@uwaterloo.ca
There’s a place for you at Waterloo!
Commitment to Equity
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The University of Waterloo is committed to achieving barrier free accessibility for persons with disabilities studying, visiting and/or working at Waterloo. Waterloo stands by the responsibility to acknowledge, communicate, and promote an understanding of the complexity and uniqueness of the University of Waterloo’s campus community, presenting the ideals by which campus members should engage one another – with respect, sensitivity, and fairness – and to fostering an accessible campus environment for persons with disabilities. Learn more about Policy 58. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
