intelligent, innovative, integrative Water Systems
AI-driven solutions for intelligent, resilient and sustainable water systems
i3WaterS brings together universities, research centers, technology developers
and water utilities across Europe to support the digital transformation of
critical water infrastructures.
A Climate-Ready and AI-Enhanced Approach to Water Network Management
| Code | i3WaterSDC6 |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | UNIVERSITE DE BORDEAUX Institut de mécanique et d’ingénierie (I2M) |
| Location | BORDEAUX, Postcode 33000 France |
| Supervisor(s) | Supervisor: Prof Sidi Mohamed Elachachi (UBx, France) Co-supervisor: Dr Olivier Piller (UBx, France) Industrial Mentor – Experts: Dr Olivier Chesneau (REBM,France) |
| Research Field | Civil engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, applied physics or equivalent |
| Contract type | Fixed term contract |
| Application Deadline | August 16th, 2026 |
Description
Research Objectives
The objective of the project is the protection of drinking water distribution systems (WDSs) and their consumers from the adverse impacts of climate change and human activities. For the first time, a unique holistic approach will identify the key interrelationships between external, day-to-day, and extreme factors and WDS failures, advising actions and protocols to make WDSs robust and reliable.
This PhD research focuses on developing climate-resilient water networks by integrating virtual sensors, digital twins, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and explainable AI (XAI) into one unified framework.
The specific research objective of this offer is To develop climate-ready Artificial Intelligence methodologies that enhance the resilience, adaptability and long-term sustainability of drinking water distribution systems under both normal and extreme operating conditions.
The candidate will contribute with the following subobjectives:
Objectives: 1) Build tools for climate-resilient WDS objectives, 2) ensure both real-time responsiveness and long-term sustainability, 3) Adapt a WDS to extreme events and mitigate degraded service levels, 4) Decrease the system vulnerability and increase the resilience by design.
Expected Results: 1) An explainable digital twin, which is of reduced order to be fast, and connected to data for accuracy, 2) Optimal sensor placement to complete the existing ones and virtual sensors, 3) proactive monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Requirements
Education level
Master Degree
Skills / Qualifications
Modelling and optimization skills
Basic knowledge of hydraulics in water networks
Background in engineering and/or mathematics
Python, R, Java or related programming languages
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and in a team
Scientific writing skills and motivation to promote results
Required languages
English – C1
i3WaterS is a doctoral network project funded by the European Union under the HORIZON.1.2 – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) ( HORIZON_MSCA-101227354-i3WaterS).
For more information cordis.europa.eu.
i3WaterS contact: i3waters.management@upc.edu