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

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 successful candidate will lead data collection and analysis for two mobile sampling campaigns. We are conducting mobile measurements of air toxic VOCs in several cities in New Jersey, and we will soon begin a second project to make similar measurements in rural Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. These measurements will help to quantify exposures in urban/suburban communities (New Jersey) and in rural communities impacted by oil and gas development (PA, WV, OH). Both the urban and rural communities are in environmental justice areas.

The ideal candidate is someone who wants the opportunity to apply innovative and creative approaches to analyzing large and complex datasets. The mobile sampling approach combines high resolution mass spectrometry with in-motion sampling. This results in a rich, chemically specific, and spatially resolved dataset that can be used to quantify both pollutant exposures and the sources responsible for those exposures. In addition to the projects presented here, 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. Our unifying theme is the behavior of particulate matter in the atmosphere, including emissions, formation, transformation and deposition of particles as well as their climatological and health effects. We currently consist of seven interwoven research groups directed by faculty members associated with five academic departments (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering and Public Policy, Mechanical Engineering).

Core Responsibilities:

• Participate in mobile sampling campaigns in both urban and rural locations.
• Maintain the CMU mobile laboratory and the instruments in it.
• Coordinate with and communicate results to community stakeholders and our collaborators.
• Analysis of pollutant spatial patterns and determination of sources that impact communities and that create pollution hotspots.
• The candidate will have the opportunity to mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students. Details of mentorship and advising will be discussed with PI.
• 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

Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license is required
• The candidate will work in an office and laboratory.
• There will be field campaigns that require sampling with the mobile laboratory,

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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More Information: 

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. 

• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. 

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