Positions

Graduate/Postdoctoral Research Position: Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Virginia Tech – Northern Virginia Campus

The Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for graduate (M.S./Ph.D.) and postdoctoral positions located at our Northern Virginia (NOVA) campus. Under Dr. Zhiwu (Drew) Wang, successful candidates will support highly applied pilot-scale wastewater research in collaboration with regional municipal facilities, such as Upper Occoquan Service Authority, Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant, and H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility.

Research Focus:

• Continuous-flow aerobic granular sludge
• Mobile organic biofilm systems
• Low-carbon nutrient removal technologies

This research employs real wastewater and large pilot-scale reactors to generate practical findings, directly applicable to industry-scale implementation.

Location Advantages (Northern Virginia):

• Close proximity to Washington, D.C., offering networking opportunities with government agencies and international organizations
• International culture and cuisine, excellent K-12 education, mild climate, and safe communities
• Convenient international travel via Dulles International Airport

Position Requirements:

• B.S./M.S. (for graduate positions) or Ph.D. (for postdocs) in Environmental, Civil, Chemical, Biological Systems Engineering, or closely related fields
• Strong scientific writing and communication skills, evidenced through peer-reviewed publications or professional presentations
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to coordinate among government agencies, private industry, and academic teams
• Comfort with handling real wastewater in daily lab and field settings
• Own personal vechile and valid driver’s license required for daily commute

International B.S./M.S. Applicants:

• TOEFL ≥90 (IBT) or IELTS ≥6.5 required; GRE may be waived

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should email their CV to Dr. Zhiwu Wang (wzw@vt.edu) with subject line: “2025 NOVA PhD/MS/Postdoc application”. Review will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled. Selected candidates will be interviewed virtually.

Position Description:

Dr. Zhiwu Wang’s lab at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to join projects focused on developing cost-effective fermentation technology to convert organic wastes into valuable bioproducts.The initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.

Research topics:

• Arrested Anaerobic Digestion
• Volatile Fatty Acid Production
• Pure Culture Fermentation
• Bioproduct Recovery & Purification
• Mathematical Modeling
• Technology Scale-Up

Requirements:

1. Ph.D. in biological systems engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, food science, or a closely related field, awarded within the last four years.
2. Expertise in bioprocessing, fermentation, anaerobic digestion, polymer science, or biopolymer processing.
3. Strong background in reactor design and process modeling is preferred.

4. Experience in operation and troubleshooting analytical equipment such as GC, GC-Mass, and HPLC is a plus.
5. Demonstrated scientific writing and communication skills (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, reports).
6. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team.

To apply:

If you are interested in aforementioned research topics, please email your CV to Dr. Zhiwu Wang at wzw@vt.edu with subject: 2025 Fermentation Postdoc Application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Selected applicants will be contacted and interviewed virtually.

About Dr. Zhiwu Wang’s Research Team and Virginia Tech:

Details about Dr. Wang’s lab annual reports, publications, research projects, facility & equipment, as well as the team members and research directions can be found on his website at https://www.wang.bse.vt.edu/. Virginia Tech ranks #51 in National Universities and #21 in Top Public Schools. Its Biological System Engineering Department ranks #10 in the U.S. The strategic location of Virginia Tech offers an unparalleled combination of academic excellence and career opportunities. Its proximity to Washington, D.C., just a few hours away, giving access to employment, collaborations, and events with government agencies, global organizations, and leading companies.