Ph.D. positions in Environment and Water Resources Engineering  are currently available with a full scholarship for students enrolled in a Joint Ph.D. program at the BITS Pilani, and RMIT University, Australia.

Application Deadline: April 24, 2024, for July 2024 intake

How to Apply: Send in your complete application using the following link:

Closing date: 24th April 2024 for the July 2024 intake.

For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/586rdn5d

To register and apply visit: https://bitsrmit.edu.in/publicResources/ResearchProjects

Minimum and desirable qualifications needed

Ensure you meet the requirements specified below before applying. Applications that do not provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements will not progress further. Master’s degree (MTech/ME in Water Resources/Civil Engineering/Environmental Engineering or similar fields with aggregate percentage of 65% or equivalent). Candidates having experience of Data analytics and machine learning, numerical an simulation modeling using MATLAB, programming skills (Python, MATLAB) would be preferred.*

GATE Score OR a high score in UGC-NET, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DST-INSPIRE**

* Where degree certificate or final year transcripts are not yet available, applicants may upload the previous semester / year transcripts
**Candidates without a valid GATE/ UGC-NET, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DST-INSPIRE score can be considered if they have undertaken GATE in the last five years AND/OR have a minimum of two years professional work experience, AND if they meet all other eligibility requirements. Where applicants wish to use the option of providing 2 years professional work experience as evidence – please include evidence within your uploaded documents

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

For candidates enrolled in a Joint Ph.D. between RMIT University and BITS Pilani:

• BITS Pilani Ph.D. fellowship: INR 45,800 per month.
• Receive a full RMIT tuition fee scholarship for the duration of your enrolment
• Benefit from the world – class research facilities in India and Melbourne
• Travel to Australia for up to one year of candidature and be supported by an Australian stipend for the duration of your time in Melbourne

Candidates admitted to the program are jointly supervised by faculty from BITS and RMIT.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project ID: BITSRMIT024B001265

Project title: Climate-Resilient Smart Groundwater Recharge Solutions for Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Project Team: Prof. Rallapalli Srinivas & Prof. Ajit Pratap Singh, BITS Pilani | Prof. Guomin (Kevin) Zhang, Dr. Muhammed Bhuiyan RMIT University, Australia

Description: Groundwater levels over much of India and some regions of Australia are declining because usage exceeds seasonal monsoonal recharge. This proposal aims to increase groundwater recharge through groundwater recharge potential zones using remote sensing and geospatial technology to target areas of more efficient infiltration for installing rainwater harvesting (RWH) infrastructure. Machine learning algorithms will be used to map groundwater recharge potential zones (GWRP). Changes in groundwater levels within these areas will be compared with estimations using climate projections from AI systems to
determine the effectiveness of the increased recharge in ameliorating the effects of climate change. Water sample data will be collected from source water, which is rainwater and groundwater samples, to assess water quality parameters. Groundwater users in the target areas will be surveyed to design an incentivization and capacity-building program to encourage the adoption of improved infiltration technology across suitable regions of India.

For more information write to: r.srinivas@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in