Environmental Engineer (Center for Marine Debris Research)

at  Hawaii Pacific University

Hawai‘i Pacific University is designated as an Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (ANNH) Serving Institution by the US Department of Education. As such, we strive for accurate displays of the Hawaiian language in all our institutional materials. This includes the appropriate use of diacritical marks such as the ‘okina and kahako. Unfortunately, at times external vendors and other third-party technology integrations do not support the use of these characters. Mahalo for your understanding.

JOB SUMMARY:

HPU is seeking an experienced and dedicated Environmental Engineer to direct the execution of multiple funded research projects within the Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) until March 31, 2026, with extension dependent upon successful awards of additional grant funding. The goal of most immediate project, “Life Cycle Assessments of Asphalts Containing Recycled Plastics in Hawaii,” is to conduct comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) focused on plastic recycling processes. A second upcoming project will quantify the concentrations of over 100 plastic additive chemicals in marine environmental samples using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Another project is innovating recycled plastic infrastructure products from plastic marine debris within CMDR’s future Plastic Recycling Research Facility (PRRF). The successful candidate will lead teams from multiple organizations to evaluate the environmental impacts of plastic production and various recycling methods, contributing to the CMDR’s mission of reusing plastic pollution removed from the ocean and aiding in the development of environmentally-friendly recycling practices.
The Environmental Engineer will lead a team from multiple organizations that will conduct and compare four in-depth LCAs to evaluate the environmental impact of different plastic recycling techniques: Nets-to-Roads (ghost nets to asphalt), Nets-to-Energy, and Post-consumer-plastics-to-Roads compared to Traditional polymer-modified asphalt roads. This will involve examining the entire lifecycle of plastic and asphalt materials, from raw material extraction to disposal or reuse, considering factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation. The team must collaborate to gather data on raw materials, manufacturing processes, transportation, and waste management for each recycling method. Specialized LCA software and tools will be used to model and accurately quantify the environmental impact of the four processes. The Environmental Engineer will evaluate the LCAs’ results to recommend the most environmentally sustainable process, considering factors such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and waste minimization. The Environmental Engineer will prepare a comprehensive written and oral reports to stakeholders, including the Hawaii Department of Transportation, providing clear and actionable recommendations for improving the environmental performance of plastic recycling methods. The Environmental Engineer is expected to publish the results in a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript and propose research projects for additional funding.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in plastic industry or research.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex environmental data and identify trends.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations and standards related to recycling and waste management.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for preparing comprehensive reports and presenting findings to diverse stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

• Detail-oriented and organized, capable of managing multiple assessments simultaneously.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to propose innovative solutions for sustainability challenges.
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and disciplines.
• Prior experience in conducting Life Cycle Assessments, preferably within the field of plastic production, recycling or waste management.
• Proficient use of LCA software and tools, such as SimaPro, GaBi, or OpenLCA.
• Proficient use of GC/MS to quantify organic environmental pollutants
• Experience innovating a plastic recycling process
• Experience with producing peer-reviewed, scientific research
• Experience in polymer science, green chemistry, plastic pollution research
• Experience planning and coordinating scientific projects and laboratory activities
• Experience mentoring, training, and coordinating students, volunteers, and staff
• Experience with complying with and enforcing institution safety protocols and policies
• Successful experience securing research grants
• Ability to work independently
• Dedication and passion toward reducing and preventing plastic marine debris.
• A friendly, inclusive personality that thrives in a team environment.
• Hard-working, motivated, and willing to put in extra effort to accomplish the project.
• Dedication to help establish CMDR as a world-renowned research center for plastic pollution.

Other Qualifications:

• Driver’s license and clean driving record allowing the ability to drive between campuses and other locations in company vehicle (own transportation is also required).
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
• This position may be considered an essential position with report to work obligations depending on the type of emergency, campus closure, or evacuation. It may require work during HPU’s breaks, if necessary, to support the organization.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• Upon hire, candidate must have reliable personal transportation to facilitate travel between all HPU worksites and other locations as required by the position. This includes a valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle that is legally registered and insured.
• This position may also require driving responsibility for an HPU vehicle. Due to driving responsibilities, you must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with HPU’s Vehicle Driving policy.
• Able to work all shifts and extended hours.
• Required abilities include integrity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, cooperation, dependability, adaptability/flexibility, initiative, effort, independence, persistence, self-control, stress tolerance, concern for others, leadership, problem sensitivity, and social orientation.

Work may include but not be limited to:

1. Lead Research (60%)

• Lead a team to conduct four LCAs, evaluate results and recommend best recycling process.
• Assist a project on quantifying plastic additive chemicals in marine environmental samples.
• Assist a team to innovate plastic mechanical recycling processes from marine debris.
• Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects.
• Use mathematical and statistical concepts to analyze data.
• Analyze samples for concentrations of plastic additives using GC/MS.
• Recruit, train, supervise and manage staff and students involved in the projects.
• Ensure adherence to safety guidelines and operational protocols.
• Perform physically demanding outdoor work, including travel to various locations on Oahu and neighboring islands, as required.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work tasks.
• Participate in required safety and operations training sessions and ensure compliance with safety standards during all project activities.
• Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

1. Report and Recommend Solutions (35%)

• Generate regular reports and graphs using data for internal and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate LCA results and recommend most environmentally sustainable plastic recycling method.
• Communicate scientific or technical information with diverse stakeholders: Including the public, policymakers, funders, collaborators, partners, internal audiences, volunteers, and students; Through lectures, courses, oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or news media interviews.
• Grow and build professional relationships with international to local stakeholders.
• Handling and reporting complaints and conflicts.
• Review environmental technical standards to recommend best recycling practices.
• Inspect equipment, structures, and materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems.
• Estimate the time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform work activities.
• Develop research grant proposals.

1. Perform other related duties as assigned (5%)

• Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments.

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.