Post-Doc Research Associate

Job Details

Department: UNC Inst for the Environment - 635200

Posting Open Date: 01/17/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Position Type: Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title: Post-Doc Research Associate

Vacancy ID: PDS004439

Full-time/Part-time: Full-Time Temporary

Hours per week: 40

FTE: 1

Work Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: $54,840 - $65,000 annually

Proposed Start Date: 02/17/2025

Estimated Duration of Appointment: 12 Months

Position Summary

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Postdoctoral research project training opportunities are currently available at the Institute for the Environment with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These appointments will be in the Institute’s Center for Environmental Modeling and Policy Development (IE-CEMPD).

The selected candidates will work with Dr. Sarav Arunachalam in IE-CEMPD, to a) develop a new local-scale dispersion model for aircraft sources, b) develop chemical mechanism schemes for dispersion models, c) apply dispersion model approaches for air quality and health risk assessments. The candidates will work on a range of tasks including: a) Perform literature review to assess current state-of-the-art in local-scale dispersion models and assess limitations and gaps b) Develop framework for developing a new modeling system for modeling complex mix of emissions sources at an airport, with specific focus on aircraft sources c) Develop new modeling system that takes into account accurate source characterization, physical and chemical processes related to aircraft emissions during takeoff and landing activities that impact local air quality, d) Perform model evaluation by comparison with observations from field studies, e) collaborate with other stakeholders, and f) develop peer reviewed publications and project reports.

Beyond these tasks, the chosen candidates will also have an opportunity to work with other ongoing projects within IE-CEMPD in the field of emissions, air quality and climate modeling, to be mentored by the PI to lead the development of new project ideas and develop grant proposals, and provide support to junior staff / graduate students on related tasks.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Equivalent

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Background in microscale meteorology, and numerical modeling techniques with an understanding of local-scale physical and chemical processes from multiple emissions sources as represented in current models, and quantitative analysis of models and observational data using Python, Matlab, R, etc. Expertise required in developing new models, algorithms for dispersion, gas-phase chemistry and/or aerosol microphysics model.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Desired qualifications are a) atmospheric and aerosol chemistry, b) strong communication skills – written and oral, c) ability to develop/translate model algorithms and develop new model code in Fortran, d) software skills needed to work with multiple observed and model datasets, e) a strong desire/motivation to develop scientific analyses of environmental problems for decision-making in support of national and international policies, and f) ability to work in a large multi-disciplinary team environment. At least 1 – 3 years of post-graduate experience will be considered a plus.