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?

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.