Fully funded PhD position in Aquatic Chemistry at Texas A&M University
Dr. Garrett McKay, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University, is seeking multiple PhD students to perform experimental research on dissolved organic matter characterization and photoreactivity. Specific projects are focused on DOM photophysics and the reactivity of DOM triplet states, as they relate to aquatic photochemistry. Although each project has specific objectives, they remain sufficiently broad such that there is freedom to design experiments and individual projects towards the most novel and interesting questions of interest. The main job responsibility of the students will be to perform high-quality laboratory research, analysis, and writing that leads to impactful publications. More information about Dr. McKay’s research group can be found at https://www.mckaylab.com/.
DOM Characterization: This goal of this NSF-funded project is to uncover the molecular-scale interactions that explain the macroscopic optical and photochemical properties of dissolved organic matter. The project will accomplish these goals by studying charge-transfer complexes of model organic compounds; characterizing the optical, photophysical, and photochemical properties highly resolved DOM fractions generated by size, charge, and polarity gradients; and evaluate the impact of photooxidation and microbial transformation and the abundance and chemistry of DOM charge-transfer complexes. Researchers involved in the project will also work closely with Dr. McKay to develop educational activities that will be submitted to peer-reviewed educational journals.
DOM photoreactivity: DOM triplet states are potent oxidants in natural aquatic systems, yet the distribution of their one electron reduction potentials remains elusive. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, the goal of this NSF-funded project is to characterize the one electron reduction potential of triplet state dissolved organic matter. The project aims to uncover the molecular classes of DOM triplet sensitizers by selectively removing hypothesized sensitizers with different chemical and electrochemical methods.
More information about these projects can be found at
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2246728&HistoricalAwards=false
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2237194&HistoricalAwards=false
The primary responsibilities for this position will include:
- Planning, conducting, and managing laboratory experiments to address the objective described in the above projects
- Supervising of undergraduate students
- Support the Principal Investigator in purchasing, maintaining records, maintaining instruments, and other day-to-day aspects of running the lab
- Preparing manuscripts for peer reviewed journals and presenting findings at conferences
Required qualifications:
- MS in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry/Geochemistry, or a related discipline
- Ability to work in a collaborative environments
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong problem-solving and organizational skills
- Detail oriented
Competitive applicants will also exhibit some of the following characteristics:
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the analysis of dissolved organic matter, including spectroscopic and photochemical methods
- Experience conducting laboratory studies to investigate the fate of organic contaminants
- Experience with the use of analytical instrumentation for analysis of organic compounds – LC/MS, GC/MS
- Evidence of peer-reviewed publications
Application instructions
Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants should email the following materials as a single PDF to Prof. Garrett McKay with the subject “PhD applicant” – brief cover letter, CV, names and contact information of three references, and up to two examples of scholarly work (published or submitted manuscripts).
Additional information
More information about Aquatic Chemistry Group @ Texas A&M can be found online (https://www.mckaylab.com/). Our group’s most recent publications are available on Prof. McKay’s Google Scholar page (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZsVoRmMAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao).
The goal of the Aquatic Chemistry Lab @ Texas A&M is to make impactful contributions to environmental engineering and science by developing the next generation of researchers. We are a diverse group of individuals that works collaboratively. Our core values are respect, trust, excellence, integrity, and service. The Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at Texas A&M University consistently ranks as one of the top-10 graduate programs for public institutions. The Environmental Engineering Program has seven highly research active tenured and tenure-track faculty, with multiple collaborators across campus in water related areas.
College Station, TX is an affordable, family-friendly location located in the heart of the Brazos Valley, with close proximity to Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Read more about living in College Station, TX at https://www.cstx.gov/our_community