Research Engineer Support, PFASMines

Colorado School Of Mines
$90,000 - $120,000
paid holidays, retirement plan
United States, Colorado, Golden
Jan 22, 2025
Research Engineer Support, PFASMines Posting Number: JR106048 Location: Colorado Engineering a world of possibilities Full-time Research Engineer Support position in the Strathmann and Bellona Research Groups offered through the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department in collaboration with the PFAS@Mines Initiative. The Strathmann and Bellona Groups are collaborating on research on treatment of waters contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This position will provide a senior support role for multiple research projects focused on bench- and pilot-scale experimental work and associated process modeling and systems analyses. This position will also contribute to management of projects, including long-term project solicitation and planning, project reporting, training and mentoring of more junior members of the research team, and interfacing with other groups engaged in collaborative projects. Annual terms and reappointment may depend on performance and/or continued availability of funding. The Research Engineer position collaborates in a team environment with other funded researchers and faculty at Mines and interacts with research team partners at other institutions. This position will span several objectives related to the experimental research and modeling performed by the group. The successful candidates will build strong and positive working relationships with students, faculty, and administrators, as well as external partners as required by the projects funding this position. The position will require experimental work on campus as well as travel associated with on-site pilot treatment studies, meetings and work with outside collaborators, required in-person project reporting, and scientific conferences. The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by time of application; Mines will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Primary Responsibilities Lead independent research activities in collaboration with supervisor Design and conduct research on PFAS water treatment and destruction technologies using the latest tools, processes, and procedures Design, construct, automate and deploy pilot-scale treatment equipment for PFAS-contaminated water Apply state-of-the-art high resolution mass spectrometry methods and EPA-approved sample preparation and cleanup protocols to quantify PFAS in different environmental sample matrices Analyze and model data collected from experiments and field pilot tests Train and advise Mines students and postdoctoral researchers working on the project on appropriate laboratory methods and safety protocols Coordinate required project reporting with Mines PIs and collaborating partners at other universities and institutions Participate in weekly research group meetings Maintain a strong understanding of current literature and ongoing research efforts at other research institutions Prepare presentations for scientific conferences and manuscripts for journal publications Additional responsibilities Provide support for and/or lead the preparation and submission of proposals for future research funding for the research group Other duties as assigned and appropriate to the needs of the research group Minimum Qualifications A PhD degree in civil and environmental engineering and at least 1 year of postdoctoral work in a research setting Experience in the design, construction, and deployment of pilot-scale water treatment technologies outside laboratory settings Experience with life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling with documented peer-reviewed publications using this methodology Experience with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of PFAS with documented peer-reviewed publications using these methods Experience acquiring, analyzing, and doing quality control on large data sets Preferred Qualifications Experience working with both adsorptive and destructive PFAS treatment technologies Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities Prior experience in near-field atmospheric phenomena, including dispersion, emissions transport, sampling, and measurement methods would be a great plus! Excellent written and oral communication skills, particularly as evidenced by a strong track record of published articles in peer-reviewed scientific publications and public oral conference presentations Prior experience working in a multi-university collaborative environment Interest in or experience with contributing to diverse, equitable, and inclusive research groups About Mines & Golden, CO When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines. Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023). Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds. At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size. Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience? Look to Mines. Equal Opportunity Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety. Annual Rate $90,000 - $120,000 Research Support salary levels commensurate with the candidate degree and experience and as budget allows. Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees. Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes: Flexible health and dental care options Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus. Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents) Free RTD Ecopass All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits. How to Apply While this posting may remain open until filled, application review will begin immediately, and this posting may close without notice. Please apply as soon as possible for full consideration. Applications must include: 1) a cover letter stating area(s) of interest that directly relates to this posted ad; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) list of peer-reviewed publications highlighting which publications document prior experience with (i) pilot-scale water treatment technologies, (ii) analysis of PFAS, and (iii) LCA modeling as described in the minimum position requirements. Contact Dorie Gelber, Human Resources, at dorie.gelber@mines.edu with any questions about this opportunity. Background Investigation Required Accommodations - It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities to promote diversity and inclusion at Mines. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance. Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting Apply online at https://mines.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Mines_Careers/job/Colorado/Research-Engineer-Support--PFAS-Mines_JR106048 jeid-3402aeae282f6e438e372ad87a64af59