In line with UNU-FLORES’s research agenda, research topics for dissertations will be focused on solving current challenges related to the nexus of water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources and contributing to the advancement of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Candidates should develop a short research proposal detailing their specific interests in the topic, the regional focus of their research, an indication of data availability, and so on. Due to the focus on integrated management of water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources, the research topic could be relevant – but not exclusively – to:
- SDG 2 (Zero hunger), e.g., related to sustainable intensification of agriculture, including safe use of wastewater in agriculture, the integration of organic waste into small-holder farming or water productivity in irrigated agriculture;
- SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), e.g., related to water quality indicators and monitoring, nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment, monitoring of rural water supply systems or groundwater quality in wastewater treatment systems;
- SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), e.g., related to decision support frameworks for water resources management;
- SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), e.g., related to integration of organic waste and wastewater into biomass production, nexus-oriented waste management;
- SDG 13 (Climate action), e.g., related to climate impacts on water and soil management and respective climate adaptation strategies;
- SDG 15 (Life on land), e.g., related to managing multifunctional land-use systems to secure soil- and water related ecosystem services, particularly in dryland areas;
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals), e.g., working with consortium partners to address the challenge of drought risk monitoring.
The window for the current application period is 1 August to 15 September 2020.
For further information on the overview of the Joint PhD Program, including admissions criteria, application procedure, and general questions, please visit the PhD Program page.
