Research Associate in Indoor Air Chemistry

Role Description

The quality of the air we breathe in indoor environments can detrimentally affect our respiratory health, and this can be even more pronounced in people with asthma, where indoor air pollutants can contribute to worsening asthma symptoms. However, direct links between individual pollutants and asthma-specific molecular health effects are not characterised. A new Wellcome-funded interdisciplinary project led by Dr Helen Davies, will allow the development of a computational model (the Lung Chemistry Model in Python, LungCHEM-Py), which will track the fates of inhaled gas-phase indoor air pollutants (focusing on volatile organic compounds, VOCs) in the lung environment. The new model will be informed by a suite of pollutant uptake experiments in a simulated lung environment (using a flow-tube), and also informed by biological experiments that monitor cellular cytokine responses following exposure of lung cell lines to VOCs. The new model will then be used to determine the likely asthma-risk for typical indoor environments.

We are seeking an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher who will be able to carry out the experimental atmospheric chemistry techniques, coupled with model development (in Python). The post-holder will be based in the Department of Environment and Geography (DEG) and managed by Dr. Davies, but be part of a wider interdisciplinary team, across the Departments of Environment and Geography (Professor Nicola Carslaw), Biology (Dr Katherine Bridge and Dr Jillian Barlow) and Chemistry (Dr. Terry Dillon). 

The successful candidate will be part of a supportive and community-oriented department that has a strong commitment to upholding our core values (embracing diversity, making a positive difference, environmental sustainability, being friendly and helpful, and always learning). Our department is highly integrated within an exciting array of environmental sustainability endeavours at our university, such as the Environmental Sustainability Academy at York and the Stockholm Environmental Institute (York), providing many opportunities for interdisciplinary working and networking across the university and beyond. The department is proud to hold an Athena Swan Silver Award.

Role 

The main role of the post-holder is to carry out a range of experiments which will help to characterise how VOCs behave chemically in lung-like environments, and then use this data to develop the modelling capabilities of a new model, LungCHEM-Py. In addition to carrying out research, the successful candidate will also contribute to publications and presentations at conferences.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed 

• PhD in indoor air quality, atmospheric science, chemistry modelling or related area
• Knowledge of indoor air quality and indoor air pollutants to engage in high quality research
• Proficiency in Python coding
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media
• Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals and engage in public dissemination
• Strong data analysis skills
• Experience of using atmospheric chemistry models
• Ability to work as part of a team and also to work independently using own initiative

Interview date: 20th March

For informal enquiries: please contact Helen Davies at [email protected]