Post-Doctoral Associate in the Water Research Center (WRC) Dr. Raed Hashaikeh

The Water Research Center (WRC) at NYU Abu Dhabi invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate to contribute to cutting-edge research on membrane fouling and functional membranes including electrically conductive membranes. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Professor Raed Hashaikeh in the Mechanical Engineering Department collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and graduate students. The postdoctoral associate will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities at NYUAD.

This position supports two interconnected research streams:

• Investigating membrane fouling mechanisms and mitigation strategies in desalination and water treatment processes.
• Developing and optimizing functional membranes including electrically conductive membranes for use in desalination energy generation and electrochemical separations.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on membrane fouling (biofouling scaling organic fouling) diagnostics and control strategies.
• Design fabricate and characterize functional membranes (e.g. conductive anti-fouling electrochemical systems).
• Operate and evaluate membrane systems (RO NF UF) at lab and pilot scales.
• Apply advanced characterization techniques (e.g. SEM AFM FTIR XRD TGA BET EDX EIS CV).
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers in materials science chemical and environmental engineering.
• Contribute to mentorship of students and lab group discussions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering Environmental Engineering Materials Science Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong background in membrane science with demonstrated expertise in either membrane fouling or electrochemical membrane technologies.
• Experience with membrane fabrication testing and characterization.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• A strong publication record with first-author articles.

Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in fouling analysis and mitigation including cleaning protocols and pretreatment strategies.
• Familiarity with conductive membranes carbon-based materials or mixed-matrix systems.
• Experience with electrochemical methods (e.g. EIS CV) and surface functionalization.
• Knowledge of materials for charge transport and ion exchange.
• Prior collaboration with international or multidisciplinary research teams.

This position will begin in March 2026 as a two-year contract renewable depending on performance. The terms of employment are very competitive and include housing. Applications will be accepted immediately and candidates will be considered until the position is filled. To be considered all applicants must submit a cover letter curriculum vitae a one-page summary of research accomplishments and interests a transcript and at least 2 references all in PDF format.

Applications will be reviewed immediately and the position will remain open until filled.

About NYUAD:

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts Sciences Social Sciences Humanities and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi NYU New York and NYU Shanghai form the backbone of NYUs global network university an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought advanced research knowledge creation and sharing through its academic research and creative activities.

EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity Employer

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.