Mohammed VI Polytechnic University

International Water Research Institute (IWRI)

Position Announcement

Position Title of PhD Thesis: ''Socio-demographics and drinkable water characteristics: implications for adaptation readiness in Marrakech and environs''

Description:

We are seeking a PhD candidate for the above thesis. The focus of this work will anchor on establishing a link between drinkable water quality, population socio-demographics and how these together inform the readiness for climate change adaptation in the study sites. This is pertinent because most developing world cities are often described as dual-economies with significant differences in socio-demographics like household income, quality of housing, literacy, employment status, access to healthcare, access to quality drinkable water and food among others. Consequently, socio-demographics will have repercussions on household readiness to adapt in the face of climate change and acute water stress. In the context of Marrakech and its environs, this work will focus on 1. Identifying drinkable water challenges and sources, 2. Perform a microbiological analysis to determine the characteristics of drinkable water quality in contrasting neighborhoods in Marrakech and environs, 3. Perform a socio-demographic analysis of residents in different neighborhoods in the study sites, 4. establish a relationship between water quality and the socio demographics of the inhabitants in selected and contrasting neighborhoods and, 5. Analyze the implication for climate change readiness through the testing of an existing readiness index and the creation of a readiness index that integrates population socio-demographics and water quality.

Key duties:

The successful candidate will carry out activities related to course work and research. Some of the research activities will include identification of neighborhoods to include in the study, performing of a systematic review of the state of water quality and socio-demographics in Morocco and Africa, collect water samples and perform microbiological analysis to determine the quality of the water, perform household socio-demographic analysis in the study sites as well as establish a link between water quality and population socio demographics. The successful candidate will also apply existing readiness indexes as well as create one that integrates the dynamics in urban water quality and socio-demographics in dual-economies. This will also involve the writing of a thesis and consequently the publishing of at least two peer review papers on this subject matter.

Criteria of the candidate:   

The ideal candidate for this position should have a master’s in public health, microbiology, or any other environmental science discipline with a focus on water quality analysis and population socio-demographics. Evidence of publications in peer review journals will be an asset. Teamwork and the ability to design and develop their own research questions and investigation plans will be additional assets. An understanding and experience in climate change adaptation will be an additional asset.

Skills:   

The candidate for this position should have the following pertinent skills:

1. Ability to perform systematic reviews,
2. Capable of collecting and performing microbiological water quality analysis
3. Experience/willingness to carry out population socio-demographic surveys and analysis
4. Willingness to test and create climate change adaptation readiness indexes