[ES_JOBS_NET] Two funded Ph.D. openings - Air quality/aerosol science - Chemical & Environmental Engineering, U. Arizona

[Robinson, Ellis - (esrobinson)]

The Robinson Research Group (https://ellissrobinson.github.io/recruiting/) at the University of Arizona is seeking to fill two funded Ph.D. student openings to conduct research in the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering beginning Fall 2024. Our single driving research question is: “Who breathes what?” We apply experimental and field measurement techniques to address pollution challenges in urban air, answer questions about what we breathe indoors, and assess the impacts of emissions sources. Better understanding exposure and associated health impacts of air pollutants is behind all of our research.

Description of opportunities:
There will be opportunities to study air pollutant composition, transformation, and variation within a variety of settings. One example opportunity will be to design and lead mobile air quality monitoring to inform health impacts assessments in Tucson and elsewhere. This project will require and build skills in experimental design, gas and particle measurement, spatial data analysis, and research communication to a wide audience, as well as working in collaboration with researchers in other fields (e.g., public health). Another example opportunity will be to use coupled indoor-outdoor aerosol composition and size measurements to better understand both outdoor and indoor air quality in under-explored contexts (e.g., the rapidly-urbanizing southwestern U.S., and elsewhere).  The project will quantify outdoor-to-indoor aerosol transformations in a hot, arid environment. The student leading the project will build skills in real-time aerosol instrumentation (e.g., aerosol mass spectrometry), building science, experimental design, and time series analysis, and work in collaboration with a distributed network of low-cost air quality sensors maintained by researchers from other fields (e.g., meteorology, public health). Additional research opportunities in exposure assessment, risk analysis, toxicity assays, and elemental composition determination may exist as well, depending on each student’s area of focus and interests.

Qualifications:
Successful applicants will be motivated, curious, communicative, and discovery-oriented. A desire to work on applied, socially-relevant air quality issues is key. Past research experience in air quality and/or aerosol science is a plus, but not a must. Demonstrated interest in scientific research is required, and past achievements are an asset. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, atmospheric or environmental sciences, or another closely-related field. Demonstrated interest and aptitude in both laboratory measurements and fieldwork are ideal, as are skills in programming and data analysis (e.g., R, Python, Igor Pro).

Interested individuals should apply to either the Chemical Engineering or Environmental Engineering Ph.D. programs at University of Arizona’s Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering (https://apply.grad.arizona.edu<https://apply.grad.arizona.edu/>). Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2024.  Please direct specific inquiries to Dr. Ellis Robinson (esrobinson at arizona.edu<mailto:esrobinson at arizona.edu>).

About the University of Arizona:
The University of Arizona is a Research I university, ranked in the top 20 among public universities and 35th among all universities in the US in research expenditures by the National Science Foundation. It is a proud member of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3), consisting of 18 leading North American research institutions dedicated to finding practical solution to climate challenges. Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; and access to UA recreation and cultural activities. The University of Arizona has been recognized for innovative work-life programs. At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As an Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information.

About Tucson:
The City of Tucson enjoys upwards of 350 sunny days each year and boasts a myriad of outdoor activities, from hiking, climbing, and cycling throughout the region to snowboarding and skiing on nearby Mount Lemmon in winter. The cost of living is below the national average and is well- below most comparable cities in the western states. More information on living in Tucson is available here: https://grad.arizona.edu/futurestudents/life-tucson.

Cheers!

Ellis S. Robinson
Assistant Professor (incoming Fall ’24)
Chemical & Environmental Engineering
University of Arizona
esrobinson at arizona.edu<mailto:esrobinson at arizona.edu>
614-260-1749
https://ellissrobinson.github.io<https://ellissrobinson.github.io/>

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