These types of professionals work within companies specialising in the integrated management of industrial waste and water production and management. They normally form part of specialised R&D departments working in the fields of desalination and water reuse, and thus often work for large companies or technological centres dedicated to this type of activity. This is a distinctly technical occupation, in which it is important that professionals possess a broad and thorough knowledge of the water sector. These professionals' aim is to generate knowledge related to the fields of desalination and water treatment and reuse. Researchers' working dynamic thus revolves around their involvement in various research projects in which they collaborate with universities and other research centres.

• Participates in the execution of research projects, answering to the director or coordinator. Within the project he/she will be assigned responsibility for coordinating R&D work to be executed under the specified conditions and quality standards. The types of project involved include the following:
  - Developing, assessing and improving the performance of technologies associated with water processes (harvesting, treatment, reuse, desalination, etc.).
  - Researching and developing new processes with the aim of making substantial improvements (reducing costs or environmental impact, etc.).
  - Developing improved treatment and desalination techniques and testing advanced treatment systems.
• They work alongside other key figures in the industry (public and private companies, technology and research centres, universities, authorities and associations, etc.). Depending on the scope of their responsibility, they must supervise and coordinate the work carried out by these partners, ensuring quality and forecasting results.
• Where the laboratory is concerned, they conduct tests, trials and experiments in order to classify water. They record the necessary data in order to conduct an analysis and subsequently infer conclusions of relevance to the project.
• They analyse and collate scientific and technological information related to the research.
• They may occasionally be required to train other members of the R&D team or other partners involved in the execution of the project.
  

Regulated training and graduates

• Grau: Química
• Grau: Enginyeria civil
• Grau: Enginyeria en tecnologies industrials
• Grau: Enginyeria química

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 3

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Planning and organisation: Level 2

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Conceptual thought: Level 3

Concern for order and quality: Level 3

Management

The organisation, administration and control of a company or entity are the main interests of people related to the management field. Activities included in this field of interest vary from effective resource management, feasibility analyses and solving business problems to the development of skills and fostering of motivation in relation to human resources. Knowledge regarding specific techniques of strategic administration and business management are required to carry out these activities.

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Environment

People who work in this field focus their professional interests on the preservation, improvement or restoration of the environment (vegetation, fauna, flora) in both built-up areas and natural spaces. Some of the activities that represent this field are the detection, analysis and control of pollutants, the carrying out of measurements and tests in relation to climatic or environmental variables and the reduction of the harmful effects of human activity on the environment. The carrying out of these activities requires knowledge of the environment, for its planning and use, and of environmental regulations.

Technician

People who show an interest in the technical field find fulfilment in carrying out activities related to the design and manufacture of objects, machines, vehicles and/or infrastructures. These activities require the application of scientific and technical knowledge (laws of physics, calculations and mathematical formulas, properties of the materials, etc). Creativity is also necessary when coming up with optimal solutions for the functional requirements of the products to be designed. Therefore, the pragmatic application of scientific knowledge in order to develop solutions for the benefit of human beings is the main function of occupations in the technical field.

Water treatment plant project engineer

Wastewater treatment plant maintenance technician

Desalination plant commissioning manager

Expert in Food Packaging Applications

Treatment plant maintenance manager

• Work hours

  Full-time, split shift. Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day.

• Salary

  Salary ranges from around 24.031 to 35.046 euros per annum gross. Median: 29.021 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician