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

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world's most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we invent it. If you're passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

Innovation. Interdisciplinary collaboration. Complex problem solving. In Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, faculty members, researchers, and students are revolutionizing focus areas in advanced manufacturing, bioengineering, computational engineering, energy and the environment, product design, and robotics. In addition, they are using their expertise in interdisciplinary research centers across the university.

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. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in the wider community in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in CAPS. Members of CAPS are recognized internationally as leaders in the study of air quality and atmospheric chemistry.

Core 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.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

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

More about ASCENT:

ASCENT provides unique opportunities to advance training and STEM engagement for early career researchers. Students and postdocs working…