Researcher Organic Waste Conversion - FORWARD

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is a Swiss-based and internationally networked aquatic research institute. Eawag is committed to the ecologically, economically and socially responsible management of water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
Sandec is Eawag’s research department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development. The R&D activities of Sandec take place in close collaboration with international and local partners. Sandec’s projects aim at increasing the R&D capacities and professional expertise in the partner countries.

Sandec manages the project FORWARD (From ORganic WAste to Recycling for Development). For this R&D project we are searching an Indonesian citizen for the position of:

Researcher Organic Waste Conversion (Location: Kec. Taman, Kab. Sidoarjo)

Project scope & status
After an initial broad assessment phase, FORWARD is now developing a research-managed Pilot Facility to transform suitable organic waste into larvae of the Black Soldier Fly and into earthworms. Both outputs will be commercialised as feed for fish and birds. Compost and biogas production are developed as supporting technologies for specific organic waste fractions.
FORWARD objective is to demonstrate technical and economic viability for the conversion of organic municipal solid waste in medium-sized cities in Indonesia.

Job responsibilities
The selected researcher will execute the daily operation of the Black Soldier Fly reproduction and the conversion of organic waste with young BSF larvae in an experimental setup. He/she will contribute to the improvement of the processes through generation, collection and analysis of scientific data. Assistance in data collection for compost and biogas processes can be part of the scope. Communication of research results as well as informing and training future stakeholders will become part of the scope during the second half of the assignment.

Required qualifications
- Graduated in agriculture, biology, environmental engineering or other natural sciences
- Hands-on personality and prepared to work with maggots and waste
- Good command of English
- Willing to reside within 15 km of the project site
- Previous experience with organic waste or knowledge of insects will be an advantage
- Already a few years of relevant professional experience will be an extra asset.

Interested candidates are invited to send their motivation letter and detailed resume in English by email to info.forward@eawag.ch. Deadline for submission is 04 December 2015. We apologize that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

FORWARD is an independent, Swiss-funded research component to develop innovative and sustainable waste management. It is associated with “Emission Reduction in Cities” - program of the Government of Indonesia. FORWARD operates in cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PU-PR) and the Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO). The East Java government, through PT Puspa Agro, provides the project site.