Postdoctoral Research Associate - College of Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering

About the role

Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join their team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will contribute to the department by managing the day-to-day operation of our ASCENT site and taking the lead on regular calibrations and maintenance. This role will have wide freedom to investigate science questions that can be answered either with our ASCENT site or by looking across the entire network. The ideal candidate is someone who wants the opportunity to apply innovative and creative approaches to analyzing large and complex datasets. The suite of ASCENT instruments provides a rich dataset at hourly time resolution. Learning how to synthesize the complementary data across the suite of instruments and across the network will be key next steps. The offline filter analysis involves method development and then interpretation of data from diverse locations around the world. Both projects offer the opportunity to work with novel datasets in creative ways.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the maintenance of the Pittsburgh ASCENT site, including instrument maintenance and calibration.
• Analysis of data from Pittsburgh and other ASCENT sites.
• Participation in ASCENT meetings and interaction with other ASCENT sites.
• Method development for the offline analysis of filter samples using either aerosol mass spectrometry or chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
• Analysis of PM speciation and sources from U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
• The candidate will have the opportunity to mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students.
• The candidate will work in an office and laboratory, with as-needed visits to the ASCENT field site.
• Perform other project-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Mechanical, Chemical, or Civil Engineering; Chemistry; Atmospheric or Environmental Science; or a related discipline.
• 0–1 years of experience.
• Experience with ambient or laboratory atmospheric measurements.
• Knowledge of analytical software tools such as Python, R, Matlab, or Igor.
• Experience with mass spectrometry.
• Scientific communication and publication.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements

• A valid driver’s license is preferred, but not required.

About ASCENT

50% of the effort will be dedicated to the ASCENT project. ASCENT (Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork) is a new comprehensive, high-time-resolution, long-term measurement network in the U.S. for the characterization of aerosol chemical composition and physical properties. Carnegie Mellon hosts one of the ASCENT sites. Each site is equipped with a suite of advanced aerosol instrumentation for real-time measurements of fine aerosol chemical composition and properties: Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM, non-refractory aerosols), Xact (trace metals), Aethalometer (black/brown carbon), and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS, aerosol number size distribution and concentration).

50% of the candidate’s effort will be to quantify PM2.5 composition from filter samples collected at U.S. Embassies around the world. Method development is required for the determination of PM composition either via nebulization of filter extracts into an aerosol mass spectrometer or via direct thermal desorption into a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. Once method development is complete, filter samples from over 20 locations worldwide will be analyzed to complement ongoing measurements of black carbon from these locations.

ASCENT provides unique opportunities to advance training and STEM engagement for early career researchers. Students and postdocs working in ASCENT have ample opportunities for collaboration, data sharing, and presentation. ASCENT early-career researchers are also included as leaders and key members on internal committees for standard operating procedures, data analysis, and outreach.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Access to Family Concierge Team for childcare navigation.
• Fitness center access.