Assessing faecal sludge treatment technologies suitable for communities in the Pacific

Aim. This applied PhD research aims to assess the quality and quantity of faecal sludge and recommend suitable treatment technologies for select Pacific Island Countries. The research will involve fieldwork research in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Background. On-site sanitation systems are used by most households in rural and peri-urban communities in Pacific Island Countries (PIC). One of the challenges with these systems is that faecal sludge requires periodic removal and safe treatment. However, there is a lack of faecal sludge treatment facilities to service these communities, which leads to full systems either being left in place or faecal sludge being unsafely dumped into the environment. Many PIC governments recognise the need to build faecal sludge treatment systems which allow for resource recovery and safe biosolid production. However, appropriate technology selection is limited by a lack of accurate data on the quality and quantity of faecal sludge to be treated.

Candidate profile.

·      A bachelor’s degree in engineering or science

·      A relevant master’s degree is preferred but not essential

·      Demonstrated interest in the topic area and international development issues are desirable

·      The ability and willingness to undertake fieldwork in Fiji and Papua New Guinea are essential

Eligibility. This PhD scholarship is funded by the GHD Foundation. To be eligible, candidates must be citizens of either Fiji, Papua New Guinea or the Philippines. GHD has country offices in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, and hence, they are seeking eligible PhD candidates from these countries. Candidates will be assessed based on the University of Sydney PhD entry requirements, need and suitability for the research topic. Note that current GHD employees are not eligible for this position.

Research group. The supervisory team consists of academics within the School of Civil Engineering with active research in water, wastewater and/or humanitarian engineering. The PhD student will also work with researchers from the School of Public Health, as well as research colleagues in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Methods. The PhD is based at the University of Sydney and will involve fieldwork visits to Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The research methods will include site sludge sampling and testing, along with modelling and assessment of treatment technologies.