Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Sciences

JOB SUMMARY

The Mason Mercury Research group in the Department of the Marine Sciences located on the Avery Point campus at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The successful candidate will lead a NSF-funded project examining the temporal and spatial dynamics of the air-sea exchange of Hg species in the North Atlantic Ocean. This position will provide an opportunity to improve our understanding of the controls over sources and cycling of ionic, elemental, and methylated Hg species in the upper ocean and the marine boundary layer. There is considerable uncertainty about the importance of gas exchange compared to wet and dry deposition as a Hg source to the surface ocean, and the factors driving the net formation of elemental Hg in the surface ocean, and its gas exchange. There will also be a focus on understanding methylated Hg exchange. The results are crucial for model development and refinement as the air-sea exchanges are major fluxes in the global Hg cycle. The results will help evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The ideal candidate would have a working knowledge of ocean biogeochemical cycling of mercury and its atmospheric chemistry, and prior experience in atmospheric and ocean water sampling for Hg species, and with using instrumentation to measure Hg species at environmental levels in water and air, including for Hg isotopes. Preference will be given to candidates with experience performing research at sea as the research involves numerous research cruises from Bermuda as well as research on the island. The position will be located at the regional campus at Avery Point working within the laboratory of Robert Mason. Visit the Mason lab website (https://mason.mercury.uconn.edu ) for more information about our research.

The University of Connecticut was established in 1881, is the state university of Connecticut educating more than 32,000 students, and is one of the nation’s top 25 public universities in the nation. As a Land and Sea Grant University, UConn has deep roots in the state’s economy. The University spans over 4,000 acres in Connecticut including 4 regional campuses. The Avery Point regional campus was established in 1967 and is just a short drive from both New York City and Boston. The Department of Marine Sciences is located on the Avery Point Campus in Groton, Connecticut, on Long Island Sound. Our program offers the intimacy and support of a small campus, coupled with the resources of a top-notch public university and internationally renowned scientists.  Visit the Department website (https://marinesciences.uconn.edu/ ) for more information.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deploy and maintain the continuous mercury (Hg) samplers on board the ship and collect additional water and air Hg and ancillary samples on six research cruises from Bermuda and teach the ship’s research technicians to maintain the underway Hg sampling equipment to collect samples on additional BATS cruises. Setup and help maintain air, aerosol, and wet deposition Hg samplers deployed at the Bermuda atmospheric sampling station for all Hg species.
• Analyze discreet Hg and ancillary samples collected on the ship and at the atmospheric station using mercury analyzers and ICP-MS for ionic, elemental, and methylated Hg forms, as well as for the other ancillary data that is collected.
• Oversee and train the graduate students involved in the project and help them design and implement their experiments, and also help them with their Hg analyses and data interpretation.
• Process the continuous Hg and ancillary data collected on the ship and at the atmospheric station and perform necessary QA/QC on the data. Process, synthesize, and interpret this data in concert with the discreet data that has been collected from all the research activities.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in chemical oceanography, marine chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of the atmospheric and ocean biogeochemical cycling of Hg, and the factors controlling the fate and transformation between species, including knowledge of the factors that cause Hg isotopic fractionation in the environment, through courses and/or research experience.
• Experience with collecting water and air samples for trace element determination in the ocean and/or atmosphere without contamination.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Publications related to the minimum qualifications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Hg continuous or batch sampling methods for air and water at background levels, and with the analysis of Hg species in these environmental samples at low open ocean concentrations.
• Experience using mercury automated and/or batch analyzers and instruments, including ICP-MS, for the determination of elemental Hg, ionic Hg, and methylated Hg, both mono- and dimethylmercury, in air or water at low environmental levels.
• Experience collecting environmental samples from research vessels in the remote ocean.
• Excellent mentoring skills and experience successfully collaborating in a team environment.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

The position is supported by a National Science Foundation research grant and while the initial appointment is for one year, there is the possibility of annual renewal for a further two years. Salary and benefits are competitive. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/ .

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs , Staff Positions, Search #497918 to upload a one-page statement of research interests and your qualifications for the position, a current CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.  Information about the Mason lab can be found at mason.mercury.uconn.edu . Review of applications will be ongoing and will continue until the position is filled with preference given to applicants who apply by November 1, 2023. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.