Post-Doctoral Researcher: Environmental Chemistry

About the Job

The Environmental Chemistry Laboratory at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) is seeking 1-2 Postdoctoral Researchers to join our team and support applied research to address growing concern around legacy and emerging organic contaminants.

We are an interdisciplinary group of research staff and students with backgrounds in chemistry and engineering and a shared passion for the environment. We are seeking researchers with expertise in the environmental fate and transport of legacy and emerging organic contaminants. We are especially interested in recruiting applicants with strong skill sets in the areas of (i) quantitative analysis of trace organic contaminants in environmental samples, (ii) environmental modeling and/or advanced data analysis and statistical evaluation techniques, and (iii) treatment of water and soils containing organic contaminants using adsorption or other treatment approaches (order listed does not indicate preference).

The postdoctoral researcher(s) will contribute to several ongoing research projects, with topics including adsorption-based technologies for removal of trace organic contaminants (including pesticides and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS) from stormwater and groundwater, evaluation of legacy and emerging trace organic contaminants in sediments of the Great Lakes (including legacy contaminants such as PCBs and PBDEs), and application of passive samplers for target and nontarget analysis of emerging organic contaminants (including 6

PPD-quinone) in urban runoff and streams.

Applications that do not clearly document how the applicant meets or exceeds all minimum requirements will not be further considered. Applicants that do not meet all preferred qualifications are still encouraged to apply. Note that experience with the specific types of contaminants and treatment/remediation technologies listed above is preferred but not required.

Laboratory and field work (40% time):
Conducting experiments to evaluate treatment of water and soil containing organic contaminants, collecting environmental water and/or soil samples, preparing environmental and laboratory generated samples for instrumental analysis, training and overseeing students and laboratory technical staff to perform routine laboratory and field procedures. Operation of advanced analytical instrumentation including liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems.

Data processing, data analysis, and/or modeling (30% time):
Application of computational and environmental modeling programs to review datasets to ensure compliance with QA/QC criteria, perform statistical analyses, fit model curves to data sets, predict contaminant fate and transport in natural and engineered systems, etc.

Report and manuscript preparation (30% time):
Preparation of technical reports and other dissemination materials to meet grant requirements, preparation of manuscripts for submission to peer‑reviewed journals.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, or other related science or engineering field with a focus in Chemistry obtained prior to the employment start date
• Publication as first author for at least one scientific article in English on a research topic related to the position in a respected peer‑reviewed journal, published within the last three years
• Effective written and oral communication in English
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or territory to document the applicant’s eligibility to drive university fleet vehicles

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with R (strongly preferred) and/or other programming languages.
• Excellent technical writing skills in English, as demonstrated by high‑quality written products submitted with the application and listed in the C.V.
• One or more years of experience with analysis of legacy and/or emerging trace organic contaminants in environmental samples (particularly sediments), including operation of advanced analytical instrumentation (e.g., liquid and/or gas chromatography mass spectrometry…