Refined VOC Source Apportionment

Job Type
Post-Doc
Job Rank
Post-doctoral researcher
Job Institution
University at Albany, State University of New York
Job Description

The Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering at University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY) invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher position in air pollution source apportionment. The ideal candidate will perform refined source apportionment of ambient VOCs in New York City (NYC) metropolitan area using both canister and hourly Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) data to understand the complex relationship of O3 and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation with decadal changes in VOC/VCP emissions related to energy generation, transport, use, storage, distribution and residential sectors. Tasks will include: Update source profiles using emissions data; Identify and apportion anthropogenic sources of VOCs/VCPs in NYC metro area over the period of 2000 to 2021 using improved dispersion-normalized PMF; Investigate long-term trends in source contributions to O3 and SOA formation using non-parametric and piecewise trend analysis; Investigate changes in atmospheric chemistry and contributions to O3 and SOA formation in NYC metro; Assess contributions of selected emission sources and their local versus potential long-range source impacts; and Assess the quality of emissions inventory through comparison of apportioned sources from receptor and source-modeled results.

The postdoctoral fellow will be based in Environmental and Sustainable Engineering at University at Albany, and will be jointly advised by Drs. Md. Aynul Bari and Philip Hopke. This post-doctoral fellow will also have substantial interaction with other research team member Dr. Sarah Lu at UAlbany’s Atmospheric Science Research Center (ASRC). The fellowship will require analysis of data, preparation and publication of manuscripts, and presentation of study results at national and international conferences.

The candidate should have knowledge of chemometrics and related chemical data analyses and must have a PhD in a related field (e.g., Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Atmospheric Science) from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization. Experience with advanced source apportionment modeling and knowledge of R as well as written and verbal fluency in English, is required. Applicants should have the ability to work independently and in group settings.

The appointment is for 2.5 years. The candidate should plan to start the post-doc on or about October 1, 2022.

University at Albany is an internationally recognized public research university, currently enrolls more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students on a campus named one of the most beautiful public college campuses in America in 2016 by Thrillist. Albany, New York’s historic capital city, rises above the Hudson River in beautiful upstate New York, in close proximity to the Berkshires, Catskills, and the Adirondack Mountains, and is convenient to Boston, Montreal, and New York City. The Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering is a newly launched department in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and it will move to 245,000-square-foot complex, the Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex (ETEC) building at the Harriman State Office Campus from June 2022.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an application that includes: (1) a cover letter describing research experience and qualifications related to this position, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) contacts of two academic references, and (4) 1-2 representative publications to Dr. Aynul Bari (mbari@albany.edu).

Review of applications will continue until a candidate is identified.