Master thesis project- Mapping Climate Risks and Adaptation Strategies in the WASH Sector
Write your master thesis with IVL/WASH and step into real-world challenges. Explore how climate change shapes water and sanitation—and help turn global insights into meaningful impact
Doing your master thesis with us at WASH/IVL gives you the opportunity to get a unique insight into our research and our work. It's a chance to learn a lot more in your field of study. We welcome master thesis students every semester.
Background
In many low-income countries, access to safe and reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services remains limited — particularly for vulnerable communities. Climate change is now compounding these challenges. Droughts, floods, extreme heat, and other climate hazards are disrupting water supply, overwhelming sanitation systems, and increasing public health risks. As a result, recent progress in extending WASH access is increasingly at risk.
In collaboration with UNICEF, IVL has been supporting over 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East to integrate climate resilience into WASH sector policies and programmes. These efforts are generating a wealth of country-level information on how different WASH subsectors — rural and urban water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and WASH in institutions — are being affected by climate hazards, and what solutions are being prioritized in response.
Aim and Scope
This master’s thesis will explore and analyse the climate-related risks and adaptation strategies emerging from this global portfolio. The work will involve coding and comparing climate risks, reviewing adaptation solutions, and identifying common implementation gaps across contexts. The outcome will support IVL’s ongoing work to inform policy and programming for climate-resilient WASH.
Supervisors
Alejandro Jiménez, Head of Group – WASH Governance; IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Ricard Giné, Expert – WASH Governance; IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Interested?
Submit your interest by clicking on "Registration of interest".
- Department
- Water Sanitation and Health
- Locations
- Master thesis
- Employment type
- Exjobb/Degree project
About IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is an independent research institute with the broadest environmental profile in Sweden. Together with businesses, government agencies, and the research community, we drive the transition towards a sustainable society – from science to reality.
We engage in applied research and consulting assignments that contribute to achieving both the global sustainability goals and Sweden's environmental objectives.
Based in Sweden with an international presence across several continents, we work together with clients worldwide to drive sustainable development. The group has a turnover of 574 million SEK, and the Institute for Water and Air Protection Research Foundation (SIVL) is the sole owner of IVL. Representatives from both the business sector and government agencies sit on our boards.
Learn more about our Swedish and international operations at ivl.se
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