LAR Postdoctoral Research Associate

Available Title(s):

306-NN_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate, 306-YN_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

LAR Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties

There are two concurrent projects the candidate will work on. The first project is a large Washington state funded research project to determine methane and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emission factors from green waste / food waste composting using the Washington State University (WSU) pilot plant built by the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research (LAR). The pilot-plant is a modern, two-zone aerated static pile system, composting 50 CY piles, specially built for this research purpose. The project will determine VOC and methane emission factors as a function of compost pile conditions such as temperature. These are complicated measurements involving a range of oxygenated VOCs and hydrocarbons that are emitted in high concentrations through aeration ducts and the pile surface, changing by orders of magnitude over short periods of time.  These data are needed for air emissions permitting of compost facilities.  The project involves the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Emission Testing Center to document sampling strategies. 

The second project is a large multi-investigator United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded project to better understand the impact of wild fire emitted VOCs (i.e. phenol, cresols, guiaicol, etc.) on wine smoke taint. This will involve field work to measure VOCs and other gases in wildfire smoke and changes in smoke plume VOC composition due to photochemical ageing and transport. The scholar will work with modelers at LAR to inform atmospheric chemical transport modelling (AIRPACT-5) of wildfire smoke plumes and help the wine industry to better predict occurrence of smoke taint. 

Both projects will involve using the LAR mobile lab and develop sampling strategies for continuous sampling methods using a PTR-MS instrument and other continuous analyzers, grab sampling methods for VOCs, and application of Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry/Flame Ionization Detector (GC-MS/FID) and total VOC methods. 

Required Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in atmospheric chemistry or related field. 

• Proficient in spoken and written English.

• Must have experience with trace gas sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds, using GC-MS, PTR-MS, or related methods. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with field and laboratory work. 

Additional Information:

Area/College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
 

Department Name: Civil and Environmental Engineering
 

City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99163
 

Department Link: Civil and Environmental Engineering | Washington State University (wsu.edu)
 

Annual Salary: $45,000 to $75,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications) | In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty please review the summary of benefits for WSU Faculty and Total Compensation

FTE: 100%

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end on December 31, 2024 with the opportunity to extend to a second year subject to approval and availability of funding.

Posting Close Date: This position has been reposted. Applicants must submit their completed application by January 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34 , engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need.  A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Applicant Instructions: Please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible . Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Required Documents:

1) Resume/CV

2) Cover Letter

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected] .