Environmental Engineering

Job Type
Post-Doc
Job Rank
Postdoctoral Fellow
Job Institution
Fraunhofer USA
Job Description

Postdoctoral Fellow (Environmental Engineering)

Overview
Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Applied research is the foundation of our organization. Fraunhofer USA bridges the gap between basic research and industry aiming to accelerate technology development resulting in faster market penetration. We partner with our clients from academia, government, and industry to transform original ideas into innovations that benefit society and strengthen the economy.

The Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest is located on the campus of the Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The Center focuses on next generation materials for a variety of markets, including, automotive, energy, environment, and health. The Center’s technology portfolio includes additive manufacturing, coatings, plasma sources, diamond materials, water and wastewater treatment and laser applications.

Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest is seeking highly motivated, reliable, and technically competent individual to join our team as a Postdoctoral Fellow. You will conduct research and development under the supervision of Dr. Ibrahim Abusallout. In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead and/or support development of many of our novel water treatment systems for removal of contaminants of concern (CoCs) in water and wastewater. In addition, the postdoc will lead research efforts in development of innovative analysis technologies for accurate and rapid analysis of CoCs in variable environments.

This is a salaried position offering benefits that include health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, and a pension plan. The appointment will be for 1 year with the possibility of renewal. The preferred start date is scheduled for July 2024, however, remain open to accommodating flexibility as needed.

The business core working hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with an average working week of 40 hours. Project-dependent work hours may be shifted outside of the core working hours as needed.

Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Fellow will primarily lead research endeavors, conducting experiments, analytical chemical measurements, and data analytics. You will also be tasked with preparing manuscripts for publication, presenting findings at conferences, and writing research proposals. A key part of your role as a Postdoctoral Fellow will be the mentoring and training of interns to support the environmental and water treatment research conducted by the Center.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will engage in funded research projects centered around the removal of CoCs through electrochemical oxidation, photolysis/photocatalysis, and adsorption methods. You will participate in initiatives aimed at developing novel technologies for analyzing and measuring CoCs in aqueous and gas environments using microfluidic cells and thermal desorption. These CoCs include per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and pesticides.

Required Qualifications
• PhD in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field
• Experience working in a chemical laboratory setting
• Knowledge in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry
• Excellent technical writing and oral communication skills
• Keen attention to details
• Able to work in an interdisciplinary, diverse, and international team
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced experience in operation and analysis of GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS is highly favorable
• Experience in electrochemical oxidation and/or photocatalysis
• Experience in preparing manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals desired
• Leadership skills and an ability to work on more than one project
• Communication and mentoring skills since the Postdoctoral Fellow will help advising many MS, and undergraduate interns

Apply:
Prospective applicants should send up-to-date CV and a brief statement of interest as a single PDF to Dr. Ibrahim Abusallout iabusallout@fraunhofer.org.