Research Project Description
Currently, we are carrying out two prestigious research projects: SOIL (Sludge 2 Oil) and S2Asphalt (Sludge 2 Asphalt) at the Department of Civil Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET).
Dr. Md. Khalekuzzaman is leading the 3-year SOIL research project and is working as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the SOIL Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) Pilot Plant funded by Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC), Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh. The SOIL project focuses on producing high-quality biocrude from different wet-waste streams (microalgae, fecal sludge, organic solid waste, plastic waste, etc.) and peat to overcome the current petroleum fuel crisis. Using this SOIL technology, extracted crude oil can be used as an alternative feedstock for exiting petroleum-based power plants and transport sectors, reducing dependency on crude import and promoting renewable energy sources in the Country.
In addition, he is also leading a 2-year S2Asphalt research project under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded project of the International Training Network Center, BUET (ITN-BUET). The focus of the S2Asphalt project is to produce asphaltene-rich bio-crude through co-HTL of FS with different waste streams (e.g., OSW, plastic waste, etc.) in the presence of natural clay catalysts. This proposed technology would open the door to producing environmentally friendly bio-asphalt from waste-sludge as a cleaner production approach for sustainable waste management and transportation infrastructure.
Job Description:
Research Assistant (Sludge 2 Oil)
Vacancy
3 Position
Job Responsibilities
- The Research Assistant (RA) will report to the Principal Investigator (PI). S/he is expected to collaborate with the project research group under the guidance of the PI. Some of the specific responsibilities may include:
- Conduct literature reviews from high-impact journals, summarize the finding of the review, and share with the PI;
- Carry out the Laboratory experiments based on the proposed approach with the guidance of the PI;
- Operate HTL Pilot plant under different conditions for high-quality biocrude production and process optimization;
- Collect and interpret the data and produce interactive figures and graphs for publication in high-impact factor journals;
- Conduct narrative synthesis and meta-analysis;
- Write technical reports and briefs;
- Develop manuscripts.
Employment Status
Contractual
Educational Requirements
- Candidate must have a B.Sc. Engineering degree in Civil Engineering (preferred)/ environmental engineering/ environmental biotechnology/chemical engineering/ petroleum engineering or relevant field.
Additional Requirements
- Young, bright individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and aspire to develop their research assistant (waste to energy/biocrude) careers are encouraged to apply.
- Outstanding academic results (at least 3.5 out of 4 scales) from reputed universities enlisted by the University Grant Commission of Bangladesh (UGC)).
- Candidates with 2-7 years of related research experience will be given preference.
- The candidate is expected to get admitted as a full-time postgraduate (MSc/Ph.D.) student status at the Department of Civil Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), with satisfactory progress toward competition of MSc/Ph.D. degree.
- Strong interpersonal and excellent communication and writing skills in English;
- Must have strong critical thinking skills, the ability to identify substantive problems, and the creative capacity to resolve these problems. S/he should be proactive, dynamic, and capable of working independently.
- S/he has to be hardworking, and dedicated, can work under pressure, and maintain high-quality professional ethics.
Job Location
Department of Civil Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Khulna.
Salary
- Tk 28,000-32,000/- per month (consolidated) inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances;
- The potentially selected candidate will be given two yearly bonuses.
Compensation & Other Benefits
This position is eligible for a generous benefits package, including the benefits of getting high-class innovative research through publishing the finding in high-impact factor journals. We will assist you in your new position and encourage you to take advantage of available training and development opportunities to help you succeed. You will have access to the following workplace, and you will have access to the equipment and supplies related to the project, including access to the SOIL project office facilities.
Evaluation Criteria:
The selected candidate may have to work with the PI on different assignments for a provisional period of 1-3 months. |
