RESEARCH FELLOW

The department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan (U-M; Ann Arbor campus) is seeking a postdoctoral scholar in the area of water disinfection. The duties and expectations of the position include laboratory research within the Szczuka lab, with the possibility of field scale research, student mentorship, and managing associated research efforts. The applicant will be responsible for experimental design, analyzing samples, developing new techniques, reporting, and report writing. In addition to these technical responsibilities, the applicant will be expected to mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Further, the applicant will be expected to attend workshops and conferences to present the research, prepare manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed literature, and assist with research proposal writing and project development. Finally, the applicant will be responsible for communicating research findings with relevant stakeholders such as those in utilities, government, and industry to elucidate further opportunities.

Experimental design and research ~50%

• Design experiments focused on biological contaminant disinfection mechanisms
• Training additional researchers, including undergraduates and graduate students, on experiments
• Prepare standard operating procedures and manuals
• Perform experiments and analyses associated with experiments
• Create mitigation/alternative strategies when needed

Literature and Data Analysis ~20%

• Read and analyze peer-reviewed literature surrounding water disinfection
• Analyze and interpret data
• Analyze key data trends, often by compiling data from multiple studies

Data dissemination ~20%

• Attend conferences and workshops.
• Submit manuscripts for publication.
• Respond to questions and comments from collaborators

Reporting ~10%

• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Respond to questions and comments.
• Aid principal investigator in drafting grant applications.

Required Qualifications

• PhD Degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or related field, with a focus on water treatment.
• Ability to prepare high-quality manuscripts and effectively communicate findings in oral presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in water disinfection or related research.
• Experience with managing research projects.
• Experience with laboratory analyses and data analysis, including molecular and/or mass spectrometry based techniques.
• Fundamental understanding of water disinfection, including water quality and biological contaminant control.

The appointment is for 12 months with a possibility of an extension, contingent on performance and fund availability.