Water scarcity and climate change are making water reuse one of the key environmental challenges of the coming decades. What if water from showers, sinks and washing machines could be safely treated and reused directly where it is produced?

Join a research team working on practical and innovative solutions for sustainable water management and circular water use. In collaboration with SPAREau, this internship aims to develop and optimize compact treatment solutions capable of transforming domestic greywater into a resource for local reuse.

The project combines environmental process engineering, membrane technologies, adsorption and advanced disinfection, with a strong focus on developing solutions that can ultimately be implemented in real residential or collective applications.

Main Responsibilities

Greywater Characterization

Analyze the physicochemical and microbiological composition of domestic greywater (organic matter, surfactants, microplastics, pathogens).

Identify target pollutants for safe reuse (irrigation, toilet flushing, cleaning).

Understand how greywater composition and variability affect treatment performance and reuse potential.

Laboratory/Pilot Testing

Evaluate the effectiveness of combined treatment processes (membrane filtration, adsorption, UV/electrochemical disinfection) for direct reuse.

Participate in pilot-scale tests (e.g., microfiltration) and propose optimizations.

Design and carry out experiments to identify the most efficient combination of treatment processes while limiting energy, chemical and water consumption.

The student will have the opportunity to work directly with experimental treatment units and contribute to improving and optimizing a real process rather than working only on theoretical studies.

Performance Analysis

Monitor key parameters (COD, BOD, turbidity, pathogen removal) and compare with regulatory standards (e.g., French REUT regulations).

Assess the technical and economic feasibility of scaling up the process.

Compare different treatment scenarios in terms of water quality, resource consumption, operational simplicity and potential for decentralized implementation.

Collaboration with SPAREau

Contribute to adapting SPAREau’s solutions for residential or collective applications.

Draft technical reports and suggest improvements for existing systems.

Interact directly with both academic researchers and the company, providing experience at the interface between research, innovation and real-world technology development.

Results Dissemination

Assist in writing a technical deliverable and presenting results during meetings with the company and IEM.

Potential co-authorship of a publication or conference poster.

Depending on the results and duration of the internship, the student may contribute to scientific communication and/or further development of the technology.

Who are we looking for?

BA/BSc or MA/MSc student in environmental engineering, chemical/process engineering, water engineering, environmental science, chemistry or a related field.

Technical Skills: Knowledge of water treatment, physicochemical analysis, and/or membrane processes. Familiarity with analytical tools (HPLC, spectrophotometer) is a plus.

Personal Qualities: Autonomy, initiative, and interest in innovation and circular economy challenges.

We are particularly looking for a curious and motivated student who wants to apply engineering and science to concrete environmental challenges. An interest in sustainability, water reuse, circular economy and innovative environmental technologies is highly valued.

You do not need to be an expert in all the technologies involved: motivation to learn, experimental curiosity and willingness to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team are essential.

Languages: French and/or English.