Impact of TOC characteristics and control strategies on biofouling potential in water systems

A PhD research assistant position is available in Dr. Ben Ma’s research group at the University of Nevada, Reno, starting Spring 2026. The group focuses on innovative technologies in water treatment and public space sanitization, using biological, chemical, and data-driven approaches to reduce human exposure to pathogens and chemical contaminants. The successful candidate will work on projects investigating the impact of total organic carbon (TOC) characteristics and control strategies on biofouling potential in water systems, including treatment facilities, distribution systems, and storage, through both lab-scale and field-scale studies. The position involves collaboration with industrial partners, public health officials, and scientists from various departments at UNR and other universities, and is affiliated with the Nevada Water Innovation Institute and Nevada Center for Water Resiliency. Applicants should have a master’s (preferred) or bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, bioengineering, microbiology, or related fields, with lab experience in microbiology, chemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. Strong data analysis skills using R, MATLAB, or other statistical software, as well as good writing, communication, and collaboration skills, are required. To apply, email Dr. Ma with a statement of research interests, CV, and unofficial transcripts. The University of Nevada, Reno is a Carnegie R1 university with top-ranked environmental engineering programs and state-of-the-art research facilities.