PhD Student 100% (m/f/d) in Environmental Engineering/ Urban Water Asset management

The Department of Urban Water Management ( SWW ) has a vacancy for a

Your research will focus on better quantifying hydraulic impacts of pipe sediment accumulation and pipe blockages for proactive urban water asset management.

Project Background

Urban drainage systems represent critical infrastructure responsible for flood mitigation and the preservation of public health and environmental water quality. However, the efficiency of these systems is constantly challenged by the progressive deterioration of pipe and joint integrity, by the accumulation of sediment and occurrence of partial and full blockages, and by climate change. Failure to maintain hydraulic capacity leads to unnecessary sewer flooding, which results in substantial financial consequences, including expensive structural repairs, extensive water damage to property, and significant public health risks.

This position aims at bridging the gap between Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and risk-based sewer pipe cleaning and inspection procedures. The overarching hypothesis is that by quantifying the hydraulic impact of sediment accumulation and blockages and scaling these results into probabilistic one-dimensional drainage network models, asset managers can optimize operational strategies (inspection and cleaning) to maximize network resilience and minimize operational expenditure.

In this doctoral research project, we are looking for a motivated PhD student to work on the following tasks:

• Quantify sewer pipe sediment accumulation and blockage hydraulic impacts by calibrating hydraulic resistance functions using CFD simulations validated with lab experiments.
• Conduct exploratory analysis to predict the most critical pipes in a drainage network. This will involve transferring CFD results into one-dimensional (1D) probabilistic models under variable rainfall scenarios.
• Develop and validate a risk-based pipe inspection and maintenance methodology.

You will have the chance to explore your own ideas and work closely with other researchers at Eawag, ETH Zurich, and partner institutions. Your work will also include publishing your results in scientific journals, and presenting at conferences. The PhD degree will be awarded by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich. While this is a research-only position, a maximum of 10% time may be committed to teaching or supporting other activities within Eawag.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have

• a MSc degree in data science, physics, environmental engineering, hydrology, civil or mechanical engineering or a related field.
• a solid foundation in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), hydrodynamic modelling of urban drainage systems (e.g., EPA SWMM), machine learning and time series analysis. We welcome candidates who are eager to deepen their expertise in these areas.
• excellent knowledge of writing and communication skills in English. Communication skills in German and/or French and a collaborative mindset are a plus.
• solid programming skills in Python, or similar languages.
• interest in urban water systems, asset management, and the impacts of climate change and increased urbanisation on urban water infrastructure.
• the capability to think critically, work independently and a pronounced sense of reliability and self-organization

You will be supervised by Prof. Dr. João P. Leitão (SWW), with co-supervision by Prof. Dr. Simon Tait (Univ. Sheffield, UK).

At Eawag, we have a working environment in which people with different experiences, strengths, and perspectives can fully contribute and further develop. Here, you can help us advance! We promote genuine participation, exchange, and mutual understanding. We create structures that enable the compatibility of work and other areas of life, such as care work, and continuously make efforts to reduce barriers.

Do you have specific requirements regarding the application process or the position, or do you need additional information? Talk to us about it—we will be happy to support you with possible flexible workplace, working hours, and job design solutions. For further information please visit our website about Eawag as well as our conditions of employment.

Please submit your application including a CV, a brief statement about your motivation for this position and how your skills and experience can contribute to the goal of the project (max. 1 page), copies of your academic qualifications and names of potential referees.

The deadline for applications is 16 February 2026 or until the position is filled. The successful candidate should ideally start in Summer 2026.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. João P. Leitão, E-Mail schreiben.

We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.

Applications from employment agencies/personnel consultants are not welcome and will not be considered.