Postdoctoral Scholar

Penn State University • University Park, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Yu Lab at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to support research on the fate, transport, and transformation of emerging contaminants in soil and water systems, with a particular emphasis on interactions between micro(nano)plastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or other organic compounds, such as dissolved organic matter. Additional contaminants of interest include tire wear particles, engineered nanomaterials, and pathogens. Research in the Yu Lab integrates laboratory experiments, pore-scale and continuum-scale modeling, and field-based approaches to understand contaminant behavior in complex environmental systems. The Postdoctoral Scholar is expected to focus on one or more of the following research areas as part of this position: Interfacial processes at solid-liquid and air-liquid interfaces relevant to micro(nano)plastics-PFAS interactions Pore-scale transport and retention processes in saturated and unsaturated porous media Aggregation, deposition, and remobilization kinetics of micro- and nanoplastics, PFAS, or other contaminants Physicochemical interactions governing contaminant mobility, transformation, and bioavailability

Requirements

• Applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of appointment:
• Ph.D. in Environmental Soil Physics, Environmental Science/Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Physics, Hydrology, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated research experience in contaminant fate and transport, such as micro- and nanoplastics, PFAS, tire wear particles, engineered nanomaterials, pathogens
• Applicants must be able to provide documentation that all Ph.D. degree requirements have been completed prior to the start date.

Nice To Haves

• Research experience with PFAS
• Strong quantitative, experimental, and analytical skills (e.g., laboratory instrumentation, computational modeling, data analysis)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to independently design and execute experimental studies
• Experience with or interest in supervising and mentoring students

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experimental research on contaminant fate and transport, including laboratory, field-scale, and modeling studies, to generate high-quality, reproducible datasets
• Analyze, interpret, and synthesize experimental and modeling data using appropriate statistical and computational tools
• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, and scientific presentations for dissemination through peer-reviewed publications and professional conferences
• Contribute to the development of competitive research proposals by assisting with experimental design and preliminary data generation
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students through research training, supervision, and feedback
• Assist with laboratory management activities, including instrument operation and maintenance, user training, documentation of experimental protocols, and chemical inventory management

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree