Job Description
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to join Dr. Yu Yang’s research team. The successful candidate will contribute to a multidisciplinary project focused on identifying potential environmental contaminants at formerly used defense sites in the Arctic, where rising temperatures may be mobilizing previously contained pollutants.
This project employs high-resolution mass spectrometry and metabolomic/non-target analysis to detect and characterize emerging contaminants. The outcomes of this research will help inform local communities and policymakers of potential health risks and guide future remediation efforts.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with an interdisciplinary team and will be responsible for processing and analyzing complex datasets using advanced metabolomic and non-target screening techniques. Research findings will be shared through a community workshop in Alaska and published in peer-reviewed journals. The candidate may also have the opportunity to participate in a field trip and workshop on Unalaska Island during the summer of 2026.
This is a one-year, full-time position with the possibility of extension, contingent upon the availability of continued funding.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD degree in Environmental Chemistry/Environmental Engineering/Geochemistry/Soil Chemistry or related area and interests in the organic compound/pollutant fate and transport.
- Experience with metabolomic/non target analysis based on HRMS analysis results is required.
- Completion of a doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline is required.
- The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University.
- The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.
Compensation Grade
Postdoctoral Scholar
To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.
Department Information
The College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno values its faculty and staff as key partners in the University’s mission to provide outstanding learning, discovery and engagement programs. Our dynamic, mid-sized college is interested in hiring faculty and staff whose goals align with our mission to serve Nevada, the nation and the world by:
- Providing a state-of-the-art education;
- Conducting high-quality fundamental and applied research
- Engaging in high-impact outreach activities; and
- Fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and diversity among students, faculty and staff.
Our research faculty is supported by an Engineering Research Office that helped the college garner $33 million in research awards in CY 2023. The college also offers trainings, professional development opportunities and resources to ensure your success. For further information about the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, please go to: https://www.unr.edu/cee
Contact Information Dr. Yu Yang - yuy@unr.edu
Required Attachment(s)
Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at jobs@unr.edu
Attach the following attachments to your application
- Resume/CV - (required)
- Contact Information for Three Professional References - (required)
- Brief statement of research interest - (required)
This posting is open until filled.
Review of applications will begin immediately. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.