GRADUATE STUDENT ADVERTISEMENT
LOCATION: Hammond, LA
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT: Southeastern Louisiana University, College of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry & Physics
POSITION TITLE: Two Graduate Assistants (fully funded) for Fall 2023
The graduate students will be involved in pollutant source apportionment of samples of Lake Maurepas and changes in water quality of Lake Maurepas portions of the project.
The first GA will be working on application of Bayesian Spatial Multivariate Receptor Modeling (BSMRM) to pollutant source apportionment of water, sediment, and organism samples of Lake Maurepas. The GA will assess the effect of any changes caused by dredging using chemical and bio data by a modeling method like BSMRM. This analysis helps to decomposes the data matrix to water pollution source contributions and water pollution source profiles, which are interpretable in physical and chemical terms. This modeling aims to identify the number of pollutant sources, the species profile of each source, and the amount of mass contributed by each source. In addition, pollutant source profiles provide realistic insights into the lake perturbation processes and environmental and food security issues affecting water quality and climate.
The second GA will be working on changes in water quality of Lake Maurepas. Changes in surface water quality, spatial variability of water chemical composition, and possible impacts of different pollution sources will be analyzed using nonparametric regression methods. Using piecewise regression, significant changes in water pollution at different periods will be investigated.
Required Qualifications:
• The candidates must hold a bachelor in engineering (chemical, environmental or similar) or science (chemistry, environmental or similar).
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0;
• Solid evidence of significant research work experience preferably in pollutant/contaminant monitoring;
• At least one year of professional work experience in environmental data analysis and coding; or
• A combined Verbal and Quantitative Score on the Graduate Record Exam of at least 280.
Required Documents
1. A letter of introduction stating the applicant's research background, their ideas for research to perform, and their plans to extend their work to future endeavors.
2. Resume/Vitae (required)
3. Names and contact information for 3 references (required)
4. Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
Please direct your questions to Professor Emami at fereshteh.emami@selu.edu
If you are interested and qualified, please send a single combined pdf file of the required documents to Professor Emami at fereshteh.emami@selu.edu no later than May 31.