Job description: Dr. Garrett McKay is seeking a PhD student to conduct research on an NSF-funded project focused on the impact of wildfires on the chemical composition and reactivity of dissolved organic matter. The graduate student will conduct interdisciplinary research and gain expertise in bulk and molecular-level methods for characterizing dissolved organic matter, environmental photochemistry including the measurement of reactive intermediates, and fieldwork involving in situ optical sensors.
The ideal candidate will have multiple years of research experience; a background in environmental engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, geology, or environmental sciences; and strong written and oral communication skills. Successful candidates will show a strong interest in working in a collaborative environment.
Application procedure: Interested students should contact Dr. Garrett McKay by sending an e-mail to gmckay@tamu.edu with a subject title of “graduate research position–wildfire” and a single PDF include a CV, brief explanation of past research experience and future interests, and up to three publications (or other research products). The successful applicant will be fully-funded (stipend, tuition, and benefits). The anticipated start date is September 1, 2023, but a spring 2023 start date may also be possible. Review of applications will begin on October 1 and will continue until the position is filled.
About the PI: Garrett McKay is the PI of the Aquatic Chemistry Lab @ Texas A&M University (https://mckaywaterlab.weebly.com/), which focuses on the environmental chemistry of complex mixtures in natural and engineered systems. Dr. McKay holds BA and MS degrees in chemistry from California State University Long Beach and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. McKay’s research group has received funding from state and federal agencies, including the Texas Hazardous Research Center, National Science Foundation, and Army Research Office.