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Postdoctoral Fellow, Analytical Chemist

Salary / Benefits: Salaries are competitive and commensurate with qualifications, with continued appointment (for up to a maximum of three years) being dependent upon performance and availability of funding. DRI offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, 6.2% matching retirement by DRI, retirement options through TIAA-CREF and/or Fidelity, paid annual and sick leave, 11 paid holidays, tuition reduction at NSHE institutions for employee and dependents. Additionally, there is no state income tax and no social security deduction.

Job Summary / Basic Function: The Division of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to conduct research in its Environmental Analysis Facility (EAF). The EAF is a chemical analysis laboratory equipped to quantify atmospheric contaminants in minute quantities. It hosts instrumentation for Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), ion-exchange chromatography, x-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry, and organic and elemental carbon analysis.

The post-doc will focus on and perform the following activities:

Explore and develop analytical methods to characterize aerosol chemical and physical properties.

Design, integrate, and characterize aerosol analyzers.

Conduct laboratory and field study of aerosol characterization.

Interested applicants are directed to the DRI website (http://www.das.dri.edu/) to find additional information about DRI's research programs in air quality.

DRI is a research campus within the Nevada System of Higher Education, and has close ties with the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The position will be based in Reno, NV, population 406,000, situated in northwestern Nevada at the base of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Reno boasts 300+ days of sunshine and offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor activities ranging from mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, whitewater paddling, and golfing in the summer and fall to alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Required Qualifications: A Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, engineering, atmospheric sciences, or equivalent field (completed by the end of July 2010).

Experience in methods development and problem solving with a focus on organic and hydroscopic atmospheric pollutants.

Experience in chromatography and similar separation techniques.

Experience in mass spectrometry (MS) and automated interpretation of MS data.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to conduct high-quality research as part of a large interdisciplinary research group.

Ability to work independently, fulfill project goals and meet deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to perform research and publish results in peer-reviewed literature.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience operating and troubleshooting analytical laboratory instruments (e.g., carbon analyzers, thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS, HPLC, LC/MS, IC).

Experience in processing and validating MS spectrum and performing data analysis.

Experience in developing chromatographic methods of analyzing non-polar and polar organic species.

Experience in operating aerosol instruments (e.g., aerosol generators, particle counters, SMPS).

Demonstrable proficiency in two or more of the following:
o Emissions inventory or characterization,
o Aerosol emission characterization,
o Aerosol chemistry/physics.
o Source or receptor oriented air quality modeling,

Experience with air quality field study instrumentation and maintenance.

Proven ability to supervise and direct students.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The individual who is offered and accepts this position must provide, within 30 working days of his/her start date of the position, a copy of the transcript(s) of the highest degree he/she acquired, as awarded by an accredited institute as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Posting Date: 06-23-2010
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants: The following materials will be required to submit when you apply on-line:

1. a cover letter detailing how you meet DRI's listed educational and experience qualifications;
2. a summary of your research interests and career goals;
3. a current curriculum vitae; and
4. names and contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. To learn more about DRI, visit us at www.dri.edu or call 775-673-7332.