This research project is steppingstone towards establishing Nazarbayev University as a regional leader in water management research and innovation. This initiative will focus on advancing world-class interdisciplinary research that supports informed decision-making for major water related issues in Kazakhstan. One of the major goals is the creation of a strong and inclusive research network that brings together academic institutions, policy organizations, and public and private sector partners. Through active networking and collaboration, the proposed project will encourage knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint research activities across Kazakhstan. By serving as a hub for research networking and coordination at Nazarbayev University, this research project will contribute to building institutional leadership, strengthening regional networks, and positioning Kazakhstan at the forefront of water management and policy research in Central Asia.

PhD in Civil/ Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and other related disciplines.

• analyze the environmental and socio-economic impacts of water contamination and degradation due to natural and anthropogenic activities. It is anticipated that research will focus on the Aral Sea and Caspian Sea regions and other water-stressed areas in Kazakhstan affected by pollution and declining water quality.
• estimate long-term ecological and public health risks and perform lifecycle thinking-based socio-technical analysis for affected communities and provide appropriate solutions.
• assess future water risks under various scenarios of industrialization, urbanization, effective land use (including agriculture), and climate change to propose adaptation and intervention strategies. This may include analyzing glacier retreat, changing river flows and drought risks, as well as evaluating sustainable solutions such as modern irrigation/ agricultural technologies and integrated water resource management.
• convert research results into journal articles, high quality conference proceedings and technical reports for stakeholders.

Expertise in the following areas is required:

• Data analysis/ Statistical methods
• Hydrological and water management models
• GIS and geospatial modelling
• Environmental risk analysis
• High quality professional writing
• Academic CV (including list of publications)
• Cover letter highlighting the motivation for the role
• Two sample publications
• Names of two referees