Global Faculty, PhD & Postdoctoral Research Opportunities 2025–2026
Academic institutions across the globe are opening new faculty, PhD, postdoctoral, and research assistant positions to address the urgent challenges of climate resilience, sustainable water systems, renewable energy, and ecosystem modeling. From the USA to Europe and the Middle East, these opportunities are designed for highly motivated scholars ready to contribute to world-class research.
1. 🌍 Faculty Opportunity at Stanford University – Civil & Environmental Engineering
Position Overview
The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Stanford University is inviting applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Natural Hazard & Risk Engineering. This position is integral to Stanford’s vision of building sustainable cities, resilient communities, and a thriving environment.
Research Focus
The selected faculty member will lead cutting-edge research in:
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🌪 Hazard characterization
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🌊 Risk assessment methods
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🔥 Climate-driven risk mitigation (flooding, drought, wildfires, landslides, storms, urban heat)
Appointment Details
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Position: Assistant Professor (tenure-track)
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Base Salary: $141,247 – $159,910 (9-month appointment)
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Expected Duties:
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Lead an active research group
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Publish in high-impact journals
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Teach undergraduate and graduate courses
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Collaborate across Stanford’s School of Engineering and the Doerr School of Sustainability
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Candidate Requirements
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PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering or related field (completed or nearing completion)
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Strong record of research excellence and teaching potential
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Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive academic culture
Application Package
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Resume/CV
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Research & Teaching Statements (3–5 pages)
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Names/emails of 3–5 references
Deadline
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📅 November 15, 2025 (early applications strongly encouraged)
Apply Online: Stanford Faculty Positions Portal
Contact: ceefacultysearch@stanford.edu
This opportunity positions scholars at the forefront of climate resilience and hazard mitigation research.
2. 🌊 PhD Opportunities – Michigan State University (USA)
About the Program
The Electrified WAstewater Treatment and Element Recovery (E-WATER) Lab at Michigan State University is seeking 1–2 fully funded PhD students beginning Fall 2026. The lab integrates electrochemistry, water engineering, and resource recovery to address global water challenges.
Research Focus
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⚡ Advanced electrochemical systems for pollutant removal
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⚡ Value-added product recovery from wastewater
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⚡ Sustainable water treatment innovations
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⚡ DOE NAWI, DOD SERDP, US EPA, and NASEM-funded projects
Why Join E-WATER Lab?
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Work on both lab and field-based projects
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Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
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Gain expertise in electrochemical & bioprocesses
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Present at global conferences
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Build an impactful publication record
Desired Background
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Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science/engineering discipline
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Strong chemistry background
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Prior experience in:
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Wastewater treatment (electrochemical, bioprocesses, membranes)
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Water quality analysis (IC, TOC, ICP-OES)
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Electrochemical methods (voltammetry, EIS)
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Strong writing and teamwork skills
Application Instructions
Email Dr. Shiqiang (Nick) Zou at 👉 zoushiqi@msu.edu
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Subject line: “MSU ENE PhD application”
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Single PDF including:
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Cover Letter
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2-page CV
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Unofficial Transcripts
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Contact info for 3 references
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Publications list (if available)
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🔗 Learn more: E-WATER Lab Website
This program offers aspiring PhD students a unique chance to shape the future of sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery.
3. 🌊 Postdoctoral Researcher – Hydrological & Ecosystem Modelling | University of Oulu (Finland)
Position Context
The University of Oulu’s Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering research unit is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance large-scale projects such as DIWA (Digital Waters) and SAFIRE (Safeguarding Biodiversity).
Research Areas
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Process-based hydrological and ecosystem modelling
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Simulation of water and nutrient fluxes
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Ecosystem-climate feedbacks and digital twin modeling
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Contribution to doctoral supervision and teaching
Candidate Profile
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PhD in hydrology, environmental science, or ecosystem modeling (within 10 years)
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Strong skills in numerical modeling & data analysis
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Programming proficiency (Python, R, Julia, Fortran, C/C++)
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Excellent written and spoken English
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Independent and team-oriented working style
Salary & Appointment
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Fixed-term, 3 years (from Dec 1, 2025 or soon after)
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Salary range: €3,700–4,800/month + performance-based component
Application Requirements
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Motivation Letter (2 pages)
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CV (4 pages)
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Publications list
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Research statement (2 pages)
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Teaching & supervision record (2 pages)
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Diplomas & transcripts
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Referee contacts (2–4)
Deadline: October 5, 2025
Contact: Assoc. Prof. Hannu Marttila (hannu.marttila@oulu.fi)
👉 Apply via: University of Oulu Job Portal
This is a fantastic opportunity to work on Arctic and boreal ecosystem-climate interactions and join Finland’s leading environmental research hub.
4. 🌍 Research Engineer – KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm (Sweden)
Position Overview
The Division of Energy Systems at KTH Stockholm is offering two Research Engineer positions (6 months) to support the Climate Compatible Growth project (funded by UKAID/FCDO).
Key Responsibilities
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Apply AI/ML methods to geospatial and survey data
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Support energy access analysis using OnSSET, OnStove, OSeMOSYS
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Link energy systems modeling with water resource availability
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Contribute to AI-driven research outputs
Candidate Requirements
Required:
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MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering or equivalent
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Strong English proficiency
Preferred:
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Python coding & AI/ML experience
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Familiarity with OSeMOSYS, CLEWs framework
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Research publication experience
Employment Details
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Duration: 6 months full-time
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Start date: Nov 1, 2025
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Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Deadline: Sept 26, 2025 (23:59 CET)
Contact: Viktoria Martin (vmartin@kth.se)
👉 Apply via: KTH Recruitment Portal
This short-term but high-impact position offers young researchers a platform to integrate AI with sustainable energy-water systems modeling.
5. 🌊 Research Assistant – Sultan Qaboos University (Oman)
Project Context
The project “Impact of Desalination for Irrigation on Seawater Dynamics in Coastal Aquifers of Al Batinah” (MoHERI-funded) seeks a Research Assistant (RA).
Position Details
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Full-time, 6 months (renewable)
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PI: Dr. Salem Al-Jabri | Co-I: Dr. Mohammad Reza Nikoo
Qualifications
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MSc or PhD in Water Resources Engineering
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Strong programming skills (MATLAB/Python)
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Expertise in:
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MODFLOW modeling
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Climate change modeling using CMIP6
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Multi-objective optimization (MOPSO, NSGA-II/III)
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Solute transport modeling & brine injection studies
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Physics-Informed ML/DL approaches
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Responsibilities
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Build coupled groundwater simulation and optimization models
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Develop predictive ML/DL meta-models
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Design water quality management strategies
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Author Q1 journal publications and reports
Application Package
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Updated CV
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Civil/Residency ID + Passport copy
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Latest academic certificates
How to Apply:
📧 Email: salemj@squ.edu.om (PI) | CC: m.reza@squ.edu.om
Subject: “Position # RA-MoHERI-001”
This role is ideal for researchers with strong computational and modeling skills aiming to apply them to climate resilience and desalination-water nexus challenges.
These five international opportunities highlight the breadth of research careers available in 2025–2026, from faculty tenure-track roles at Stanford to PhD and postdoc positions across the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
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🌪 Natural Hazard & Risk Engineering (Stanford)
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⚡ Electrochemical Wastewater Treatment (MSU)
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🌊 Hydrological & Ecosystem Modeling (Oulu)
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🤖 AI for Energy-Water Systems (KTH)
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💧 Desalination & Climate Change Modeling (Sultan Qaboos University)
Each role offers global collaborations, competitive funding, and interdisciplinary research opportunities to address climate change, water sustainability, and renewable energy transitions.
If you are motivated to advance solutions for a sustainable future, these openings provide the perfect platforms to launch or elevate your academic career.
