Professors Linda M. Abriola and Kurt D. Pennell at Brown University invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position related to the fate and transport of contaminants in porous media. The successful applicant will be engaged in research exploring the reactive transport and in situ remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in porous media, as part of an interdisciplinary research group that couples experimental and modeling investigations at a variety of scales, from pore to column to field. Current joint research projects encompass PFAS leaching from agricultural soils contaminated by PFAS-laden biosolids, exploration of the influence of freezing and thawing on PFAS retention in unsaturated soils, the development and validation of a site management decision tool for contaminated soil stockpiling, the development of amendment technologies for in situ retention and remediation of PFAS mixtures, and vapor transport and vapor intrusion of PFAS. On-going research collaborators include Natalie Cápiro (Cornell University); John Christ (S&B Christ Consulting, LLC); Indrek Kulaots (Brown University); Dina Drennan (BEM Systems), Linda Lee (Purdue University), and Uriel Rubalcava Garza (University of California, Riverside). The successful applicant will be involved in model development and application, laboratory experimental design, laboratory batch and column studies, supervision of graduate and undergraduate research assistants, report and proposal writing, and grants administration. Applicants should have: a strong background in porous media transport modeling, analytical chemistry, and laboratory experimentation; excellent oral and written communication skills; and an earned doctorate in environmental engineering, soil science, environmental science, chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or a related field.
For more information on current and recent research, please see:
https://engineering.brown.edu/people/linda-m-abriola
https://engineering.brown.edu/people/kurt-pennell
https://sites.brown.edu/pennell-lab/
The position is for two years, commencing as early as September 15, 2026. Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and full contact information for three references to Professor Abriola at linda_abriola@brown.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
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About the Environment
Brown University’s School of Engineering seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to maintain the excellence of the University and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, viewpoints, and ways of knowing and learning. The School provides a unique environment, emphasizing the power of interdisciplinary thought with a focus on expanding connections across engineering disciplines and beyond traditional departmental and school boundaries. Brown’s campus on College Hill offers a classic New England college experience among brick quadrangles, scenic greens, soaring modern architecture, renovated centuries-old structures, state-of-the-art laboratories, and world-class libraries. Less than an hour by car or train ride to Boston, its campus is located within the heart of Rhode Island’s vibrant capital city, Providence, known for its restaurants and innovative arts scene.