POSITION SUMMARY:

One part time position is available for an enthusiastic and skilled Researcher in the Civil & Environmental Engineering department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, to contribute to a cutting-edge project focused on the computational and experimental study of destruction of “Forever Chemicals” or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been designated as emerging contaminants of concern since the early 2000s. PFAS have been detected in surface and groundwater at more than 2,000 locations in the US, with the highest concentrations at former Department of Defense (DOD) fire-training facilities. PFAS comprise a diverse group of synthetic chemicals used over 90 years. PFAS contain the C-F bond which is the shortest and strongest known covalent bond in nature and is responsible for the thermal and chemical stability of PFAS. These properties in conjunction with its ability to act as a surfactant makes PFAS ideal for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Unfortunately, these same properties also rendered PFAS bio-accumulative, toxic to both the environment and human health, and ubiquitous in the environment. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of PFAS remediation through the application of ultrasound technology and computational modeling to validate experimental observations.

PREREQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related field.
• Strong background in environmental engineering, with expertise in experimental testing and computational modeling of PFAS.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar) for modeling and data analysis.
• Experience in applying numerical methods and computational techniques to environmental problems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• At the university’s discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Research Design and Implementation:
1. Develop and implement research plans related to destruction of PFAS.
2. Conduct laboratory experiments, field studies, and data analysis.
3. Conduct computer simulations.
Laboratory Testing:
1. Knowledge, Ability and Experience to perform the following tests:
a. liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
b. fluoride ion selective electrode (F-ISE)
c. inorganic anion chromatography (IC)
d. nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
e. total organic carbon (TOC)
f. chemical oxygen demand (COD)
g. inductively Couple Plasma (ICP) – metal analysis
h. alcohol analysis, glycol analysis
i. total oxidizable precursor (TOP)
Computational Modeling:
1. Develop and implement advanced numerical models to simulate PFAS destruction.
2. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate computational findings including computer simulation into broader environmental models.
3. Incorporate computer simulation and laboratory results into computational models to enhance accuracy and predictive capabilities.
Data Analysis and Simulation Techniques:
1. Utilize computational tools for the analysis of environmental data related to PFAS.
2. Apply statistical methods to interpret and validate model results.
3. Explore and apply state-of-the-art simulation techniques to predict PFAS behavior under different environmental conditions.
4. Contribute to the development and optimization of computational algorithms.
Publication and Presentation:
1. Prepare experimental research findings with a focus on DFT applications and other computational methods for publication in high-impact journals.
2. Present computational results at conferences and workshops.
Collaboration:
1. Collaborate with project team members, experimental researchers and industry partners.
2. Mentor graduate and undergraduate and high school researchers involved in the experimental and computational aspects of the project.