Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowin the Department of Marine Science, primarily based at the Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, TX. The role focuses on quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in environmental samples and understanding degradation processes with access to GC/MS, LC/MS, Py-GC/MS, and SEM facilities.

The fellow will lead experiments, develop analytical methods, mentor lab members, and contribute to publications and conferences while

Qualifications

• PhD required within three years prior to start date.
• Broad expertise in environmental chemistry in aquatic environments preferred.
• Experience with advanced analytical tools such as GC/MS, LC/MS and pyrolysis is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on plastic weathering.
• Develop analytical protocols for plastic analysis.
• Mentor other lab members, including graduate and undergraduate students.
• Prepare data for publication.
• Present research results at national and international conferences.

Skills

Environmental chemistry

Plastic aging

Lab mentoring

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Environmental Chemistry or related field

Tools

Gas chromatography

Liquid chromatography

Mass spectrometry

Pyrolysis

Job description

Job Posting Title:Postdoctoral Fellow-Hiring Department:Department of Marine Science-Position Open To:All Applicants-Weekly Scheduled Hours:40-FLSA Status:Exempt from FLSA-Earliest Start Date:Immediately-Position Duration:Expected to Continue Until Sep 11, 2027-Location:MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE-Job Details:General NotesPosition is one year appointment with possibility of extension based on funding and performance.The position is primarily located in Port Aransas, Texas, but travels to Austin several times a year may be needed.PurposeThe postdoctoral fellow will mainly work on projects related to quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in environmental and biological samples and understanding the environmental processes that degrade plastics photochemically or biologically. The Fellow will also have opportunities to work on projects related to natural organic matter in the environment, depending on their research interests. Liu Lab houses a suite of advanced analytical instrumentation, including GC/MS, LC/MS, Py-GC/MS, and O-PTIR and SEM, etc.ResponsibilitiesConduct research on plastic weatheringDevelop analytical protocols for plastic analysisMentor other lab members, including graduate and undergraduate studentsPrepare data for publicationPresent research results to national and international conferencesRequired qualificationsIncumbent must have received their PhD or completed all qualifications and degree requirements within three years prior to the effective date of their initial assignment.Preferred qualificationsBroad expertise in environmental chemistry in aquatic environments. Highly desirable qualifications include experience in plastic aging in the environment, and experience in using advanced analytical tools, such as gas/liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and analytical pyrolysis etc.Salary Range$60,782+ commensurate with experienceWorking conditionsWork is primarily lab- and office-based.May include field workMay include travel between collaborating labsRequired MaterialsCVLetter of application that addresses your interest in and qualifications for the position and includes names and contact information for three references.Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.-Employment Eligibility:Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.-Retirement Plan Eligibility:The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.-Background Checks:A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.-Equal Opportunity Employer:The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.-Pay Transparency:The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.-Employment Eligibility Verification:If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.-E-Verify:The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]-Compliance:Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.