The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) at Arizona State University (ASU) is currently seeking for three (3) graduate research assistants (Ph.D. students are preferred, although M.S. students are considered) to start in Spring 2025. The students will have the opportunities to perform one of the following projects:
(1) design novel membrane materials and processes for energy-efficient brine treatment via zero or minimal liquid discharge (ZLD/MLD);
(2) explore effective removal of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF);
(3) fundamentally understand the mechanisms of solute transport in NF for resource recovery.
The selected students are expected to perform interdisciplinary research at the interface of membrane science, polymer science, environmental chemistry, and surface science for pursuing cost- and energy efficient membrane desalination and water purification. The students will be able to interact with researchers from different disciplines in the Global Center for Water Technology as part of the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative. Students who are interested in performing cutting-edge studies in these areas are encouraged to contact Dr. Tiezheng Tong by visiting https://www.tongtiezheng.net/ or sending an email to tiezheng.tong@asu.edu for more information.
The ideal candidates are expected to have a B.S. degree (M.S. degree preferred) in environmental engineering, chemistry, materials science, or closely related fields. Previous research experiences in membrane materials and processes (e.g., fabrication of polyamide membranes for RO and NF), polymer synthesis and characterization, mineral formation, and/or membrane filtration systems (e.g., RO, NF, membrane distillation, and/or electrodialysis) will be favorable. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills will be highly valued in the application review process.
Perspective students are encouraged to send the following materials directly to Dr. Tiezheng Tong (tiezheng.tong@asu.edu) in a single PDF:
1. A cover letter stating your research interests and career goals;
2. Your C.V. or resume;
3. Names and contact information for two references;
4. A copy of representative peer-reviewed publications (if applicable).
The successful candidates will receive full funding support including tuition, a competitive stipend, and benefits. The review process will start on August 1, 2024 until the positions are filled.
The SSEBE of ASU is located in Tempe Campus, Arizona, a vibrant community near the city of Phoenix, which is around 10-minute drive to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Environmental Engineering Graduate Program of ASU ranks #9 in the U.S. according to the U.S. News & World Report (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/en…), which ties with Yale University and MIT. Additionally, ASU has been ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation for 9 years in a roll.
About the PI: Dr. Tiezheng Tong is a tenured Associate Professor at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE), Arizona State University (ASU). Before joining ASU, he was a tenured Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University (CSU). He completed a postdoc position in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Yale University and received his Ph.D. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University. Prior to his Ph.D. study, he graduated from Beijing Normal University (with the highest honor) and Tsinghua University with B.S. and M.S. degrees, respectively, both of which are in environmental engineering. He has published nearly 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, which have been cited by ~6,000 times globally with an H-index of 37. He is the recipient of many academic and professional awards, including the Super Reviewer Award from Environmental Science & Technology (2024), the James J. Morgan Early Career Award from American Chemical Society (honorable mention, 2024), the George T. Abell Outstanding Early-Career Faculty Award and Faculty Award for Excellence in Research from CSU (2023), the CAPEES/UCEEF Early Career Award from Chinese-American Professors in Environmental Engineering and Science (2023), the CAREER Award from National Science Foundation (2022), the 40 under 40 Award from American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (2022), ACS ES&T Engineering Best Paper Award (2022), the Young Membrane Scientist Award from North American Membrane Society (2020), a student award from Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (2013), and Environmental Chemistry Graduate Student Award from American Chemistry Society (2012). He is currently an editorial board member of Journal of Membrane Science. His current research interests include (1) achieving energy-efficient treatment of hypersaline brines for circular water economy, (2) elucidating fundamental phenomena at the water-membrane interface, and (3) applying data-driven approaches to promote water sustainability.