Postdoctoral Research Associate - Advanced Environmental Research Institute
University of North Texas

Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - Advanced Environmental Research Institute

Employee Classification: Postdoctoral Research Assoc

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science

Department: UNT-Biological Sciences-121100

Job Location: Denton

Salary: commensurate upon experience

FTE: 1.00

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year. We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team. Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Department of Biological Sciences is one of the academic departments in the College of Sciences. Our faculty is a community of scholars dedicated to teaching and research in the life and environmental sciences. We measure our success by the success of our students and the quality of our intellectual contributions to society. Our alumni include many distinguished researchers and university professors who are dedicated to high-quality teaching and research. Faculty members are divided by discipline into three divisions within the department, each with a director. These divisions represent, to some degree, the major research areas of the department: Physiology and Neuroscience; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Environmental Science. Four institutes and centers are represented from these divisions, including the Institute of Applied Sciences (including the Water Research Field Station), the Center for Remote Sensing, the Center for Network Neurosciences, and the Center for Forensic Science.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI) at the University of North Texas seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a full-time position (40 hours per week) which will be a 30-month total appointment. This appointment is research-based (90%) with the expectation of education and outreach participation (10%). The research will be focused on marine dissolved organic matter composition and character analysis using various sample preparation methods and analytical chemistry instruments including, but not limited to, total organic and inorganic carbon concentration analyzers, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, and ultrahigh resolution hybrid ion trap Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Orbitrap MS). Travel is expected and will play an integral role in this position, including travel to field sites off the coast of Maryland and Texas (the Chesapeake Bay and the Galveston Bay), travel to other US laboratories for instrument training and education, as well as travel to other US institutions (Michigan Technological University, the University of Maryland, and Texas A&M University at Galveston) for project meetings. This position requires field, laboratory, and computer work, writing monthly reports, attending monthly meetings, writing manuscripts for publication, giving presentations, and mentoring. The position will be based at the University of North Texas, under the supervision of Dr. Juliana D'Andrilli, and cannot be conducted remotely. Experience operating an ultrahigh resolution MS instrument to characterize dissolved organic matter is not required but understanding ultrahigh resolution MS concepts and experience working with ultrahigh resolution MS data are required. Experience with computer coding, data management, and data analyses using one or more programming languages is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline by the start date.

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Oceanography, Aquatic Biogeochemistry, or closely related field.

Ability to design and conduct experiments both independently and collaboratively as needed.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Research experience in aquatic biogeochemistry and dissolved organic matter analyses/carbon characterization.

Extensive knowledge of ultrahigh resolution MS concepts, data, and complex data management tools.

Developing record of quality peer-reviewed publications.

Preferred Qualifications

Research experience in operating an Orbitrap MS instrument.

Experience with aquatic dissolved organic matter sample collection, filtration, and solid phase extraction techniques.

Experience integrating dissolved organic matter data across bulk and molecular-level characterization techniques.

Experience working with remote sensing data.

Excellent organizational skills.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

• Conduct field sample collections, laboratory experiments, gather data, document research notes, code and analyze data, interpret data.
• Compiles monthly reports of research progress and project spending to funding agencies.
• Keep up with historical and latest research data and publications.
• Prepare manuscripts for publications in a timely manner and talks and posters for presentation at project meetings and potentially conferences.
• Mentor other group members on instruments, data analysis, and professional development.
• Stay up-to-date with all trainings, and federal, state, university and department requirements.

Work Schedule:

Varies

Driving University Vehicle:

Yes

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.

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