Position Description
The Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (EES), in the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, at Clemson University has a Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Assistant position available with an immediate start date available. The successful candidate will join the research group of Dr. Kevin T. Finneran, Professor (https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/eees/people/facultydirectory/finneran.html), to conduct work on Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) project ER21-1274:
Influence of Particulate Amendments on TCE Reductive Dechlorination in the Presence of PFAS: Laboratory and Field Studies
This project is a collaboration amongst Clemson, the University of Florida, the US Navy, and the University of Tubingen. The objective is to understand how co-adsorbed PFAS on PAC and GAC influences microbial and microbial-chemical processes that transform TCE. The relevant microbial/chemical tasks include:
- Assess the impact particulate amendments have on the rate and extent of TCE reductive dechlorination in the presence of PFAS under relevant microbial respiration conditions
- Further characterize the dynamic between Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms and dezalogenating genera in the presence of reactive carbon particulate amendments
- Quantify community and population level shifts amongst fermenters, metal reducers, dehalogenators, and methanogens based on particulate amendment
- Quantify increases in methane production (and by extension the fraction of electrons consumed by methane production) due to particulate amendment and DIET
- Characterize the impacts of high versus low mol mass electron donors on complete dechlorination, when co-mingled plumes (PFAS and TCE) are subjected to particulate amendments
- Eventual (year 2) field tests with NAVFAC partner to assess lab vs field processes in particulate amended plumes (sites most likely in FL and CA)
The assistantship is available for 3.5 years (minimum), and will cover all tuition, fees, and graduate stipend. To learn more about this please see:
https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/eees/academics/gradprog/index.html
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should contact Professor Finneran via email, with a brief bio sketch or resume. Candidates will have at least one virtual meeting. Students considered will include those with a BS or MS in environmental engineering or microbiology, or a related degree (based on research or projects conducted during the graduate/undergraduate time). The successful candidate will be motivated, curious, a problem solver, want to solve practical problems and work with both industrial and academic partners, and most importantly be results-driven. The candidate will be expected to communicate research results in quality peer-reviewed journals and represent the group at national/international symposia and meetings.
If selected the student will formally apply to Clemson EES via the graduate school, which is found here:
https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/eees/academics/gradprog/application.html
Timeframe
The opening is immediate. While a spring 2023 semester start is most reasonable, a student can be supported immediately pending all necessary paperwork. Mid semester starts will begin as research-only positions, and transition to full doctoral program (coursework plus research) in the spring of 2023. A full application must be received prior to any start date.
Contact information is below. We look forward to hearing from you.