I am seeking a motivated and curious PhD student to join our interdisciplinary research team in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. Our team is focused on understanding and reducing environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This position is part of the Iowa Superfund Research Program, specifically Project 4 — a collaborative effort with the long-term goal of identifying and quantifying airborne PCB sources and developing strategies to reduce human exposure in affected communities.
The PhD student will design and deploy both novel and standard passive samplers to study PCB presence and behavior in two key contexts: sediment dredging operations and contaminated soils. The project investigates how PCB properties and environmental concentrations in air, water, soil, and sediment influence emissions and intermedia transport. The research will integrate laboratory experiments, field sampling, analytical chemistry, and environmental modeling to enhance our understanding of PCB behavior in complex environmental settings.
The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa, which has consistently been ranked one of the best college towns in America. It is a community built around higher education, with vibrant cultural opportunities and a long history of international connections, leadership, and accomplishment. Iowa City offers the safe, friendly quality of life for which the Midwest is known.
Ideal Candidate Will Have:
- A Master’s degree (or strong undergraduate background) in environmental science, chemistry, engineering, or a related field
- Interest or experience in environmental sampling and analytical methods
- Familiarity with passive sampling techniques or environmental modeling (a plus)
What We Offer:
- Full funding (stipend, tuition, and benefits)
- Training in interdisciplinary research and community engagement
- Opportunities for fieldwork, conference travel and other professional development
- A collaborative, supportive, and impact-driven research environment
For any questions about the position, please feel free to contact Dr. Andres Martinez by email at andres.martinez@uiowa.edu Please include 'PhD Application – PCB Project' in the subject line of your email. To learn more about the Iowa Superfund Research Program at the University of Iowa, visit https://iowasuperfund.uiowa.edu/