TTU Post Doctoral Research Associate - Water Resources Center

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX, USA 🇺🇸

Lubbock

39268BR

Water Resources Center

Position Description

Performs specialized Post Doctoral work in the planning, conducting and/or supervision of original research. Responsible for participating in a research project associated with PhD studies and the interpretation of the results of publication. Work is performed under supervision of graduate faculty members with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of project. May supervise research and student assistants.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the Department and/or College

Texas Tech University has long recognized the importance of water resources for sustaining economic growth and sensitive ecosystems of Southern High Plains. The Water and the Environmental Research (WATER) Center was established by the Board of Regents in 1965 to conduct research and coordinate water related activities on campus. The center has a 50 year history of conducting basic and applied research activities that are not only relevant to the Southern High Plains region but also of national and international significance.
Faculty affiliated with the center have a wide ranging expertise in both water availability and water quality issues in surface water, groundwater, soil and contaminated sediments. Recent research activities are focused on emerging areas of food-energy-water nexus, water reuse in hydraulic fracturing, emerging contaminants and environmental applications of nano-materials. Research projects carried out by the center are funded by federal, state and local entities including the NSF, SERDP, NASA and private industry.

Major/Essential Functions

Knowledge of modern analysis & research practices, the methods, resources, and standards thereof.  Organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgement based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.  Integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solution and other outcomes.  Establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees and the public.  Plan and allocate the workload of employees, providing direct training and supervision as needed. Performs specialized Post Doctoral work in the planning, conducting and/or supervision of original research. Responsible for participating in a research project associated with PhD studies and the interpretation of the results of publication.  Work is performed under supervision of graduate faculty members with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of project.  Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all employees.
Responsibilities include designing and executing lab-scale experiments, analyzing data from various analytical techniques, and collaborating on modeling efforts to support experimental design.

Required Qualifications

PhD in environmental or chemical engineering, or in a related environmental, chemical or geosciences field. Knowledge of modern research practices, the methods, resources, and standards thereof. Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities. Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions and other outcomes. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees and the public. Ability to plan and allocate the workload of employees, providing direct training and supervision as needed.    

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with advanced characterization instruments including AFM, OPTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, NMR, etc. 
  • Application of techno-economic and life cycle analysis including incorporation of AI/ML in data analysis
  • Excellent analytical skills in development of both targeted and non-targeted analysis (NTA)/suspect screening analysis (SSA) of trace organic contaminants using GC-HRMS, and/or LC- HRMS.
  • Research experience in performing bench-scale experiments related to contaminant (preferably microplastics, and PFAS) removal/destruction techniques applied in sediment, water or wastewater matrices– examples of removal processes include advanced oxidation/reduction processes, photochemical destruction, sonolysis, etc. Studies that provide mechanistic insight into the contaminant removal process will be of particular importance for this position.

Safety Information: Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Occasional Duties: May supervise research and student assistants.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?: Yes

Required Attachments: Cover Letter, Research Statement, Resume / CV

Job Type: Full Time

Pay Basis: Monthly

Pay Statement: Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.

Travel Required: Up to 25%

Shift: Day

Grant Funded?: No

Job Group: Research Staff

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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