Environmental Information (computer) scientist

Planning and designing water and wastewater infrastructure often face challenges due to the fact that they are costly, have prolonged life cycle and require broad range of data. Once installed according to a poorly conducted plan, the infrastructure cannot be reused for other purposes, meaning the stakeholders (mostly the inhabitants) carry the economic burden. Therefore a preliminary planning and decision support tool is a vital element to improve planning and decision making processes.

UFZ developed a GIS-based decision support tool called ALLOWS (Assessment of Local Lowest-cost Wastewater Solution) to provide the decision makers and stakeholders with a standardized set of methodology for

1. creating a unified database for wastewater infrastructure,
2. conducting GIS analysis on current situation (both geographical and demographical),
3. developing various wastewater management scenarios, and iv) carrying out economic assessment on the scenarios to identify to lowest-cost option.

The ALLOWS tool has been applied to settlements and regions ranging from 2000 Inhabitants to 100000 inhabitants in population size. In the frame of BMBF financed SALAM-II project, it is aimed at to apply the ALLOWS tool on country and multi-country level. Therefore, a further development of the tool is required so that numerous settlements and towns can be analyzed at the same time. This requires the ALLOWS tool to be programmed and (semi) automatized by converting the current ALLOWS set of rules into an algorithm either in Python or in R. In addition, a framework has to be defined to automatize the wastewater reuse scenarios.

Several scenarios for wastewater reuse at country and multi-country level are required to be developed and mapped using GIS. Finally, we aim to publish the highlights of the automatization process in ISI-listed Journal., Planning and designing water and wastewater infrastructure often face challenges due to the fact that they are costly, have prolonged life cycle and require broad range of data. Once installed according to a poorly conducted plan, the infrastructure cannot be reused for other purposes, meaning the stakeholders (mostly the inhabitants) carry the economic burden. Therefore a preliminary planning and decision support tool is a vital element to improve planning and decision making processes.

UFZ developed a GIS-based decision support tool called ALLOWS (Assessment of Local Lowest-cost Wastewater Solution) to provide the decision makers and stakeholders with a standardized set of methodology for

1. creating a unified database for wastewater infrastructure,
2. conducting GIS analysis on current situation (both geographical and demographical),
3. developing various wastewater management scenarios, and iv) carrying out economic assessment on the scenarios to identify to lowest-cost option.

The ALLOWS tool has been applied to settlements and regions ranging from 2000 Inhabitants to 100000 inhabitants in population size. In the frame of BMBF financed SALAM-II project, it is aimed at to apply the ALLOWS tool on country and multi-country level. Therefore, a further development of the tool is required so that numerous settlements and towns can be analyzed at the same time. This requires the ALLOWS tool to be programmed and (semi) automatized by converting the current ALLOWS set of rules into an algorithm either in Python or in R. In addition, a framework has to be defined to automatize the wastewater reuse scenarios.

Several scenarios for wastewater reuse at country and multi-country level are required to be developed and mapped using GIS. Finally, we aim to publish the highlights of the automatization process in ISI-listed Journal.

Your tasks

• Use the already established planning tools (ALLOWS, MUST-B, OCTOPUS etc…) to generate results
• Develop wastewater and stormwater management scenarios
• If needed adapting the tools to the given context
• Carry out comprehensive level analysis
• Preparation of the results for presentation for the clients (Municipalities, Communal Water Utilities)
• Preparation of the results for reports and conference presentations
• Reporting in form of Presentation and Written report form
• Organization and attendance of meetings and workshops with the clients including presentating of the results
• Integration of the feedbacks of the clients to the modelling process (Additional scenario)
• Adaptation, adjustment and the further development of the existing tools that have been carried out for certain context, the new, and improved version of the tool including new modules will be published

• MSc in Environmental Informatics
• Strong knowledge in programming in Python or R
• Strong knowledge about geo and statistical data
• Experience in working with ArcGIS or similar GIS software
• Team player

Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits., * The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application

• The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a variety of perspectives
• Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing work and care responsibilities through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Germany Job Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is a world-leading institution in environmental research and a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. With approximately 1,200 employees across Leipzig, Halle, and Magdeburg, we have been conducting research since 1991 using a transdisciplinary approach to address the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental pollution. Our goal is to translate excellent research into practical solutions for policymakers, business, and society, and to serve as a reliable partner in supporting transformation processes toward a sustainable and just future for current and future generations. We foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and diversity within a work environment that actively promotes creativity and personal development.