Bioaccumulation Potential of Emerging Contaminants

A PhD position is available in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, using computational tools to explore the bioaccumulation potential of emerging contaminants.

We seek a highly motivated scientist for a dissertation project that will explore how tools from biological and pharmaceutical sciences can be used to assess the bioaccumulation potential of emerging industrial pollutants. The selected candidate will use state-of-the-art computational tools to probe determinants of bioaccumulation potential at the molecular level, and scale these mechanisms up to the organism level in order to validate predictions against experimental data.

The successful applicant will possess a BS or MS degree in environmental or pharmaceutical sciences, civil, environmental, or chemical engineering, or a related field and have an excellent academic record. The applicant should have experience in the quantitative treatment of data, ideally with some experience in writing computer scripts (e.g. with Python or Matlab). Previous experience with molecular modeling (protein-ligand docking) or with modeling biological systems would be an advantage. Fluency in English (written and oral) is required. Scientific writing skills, the ability to organize information and to clearly communicate abstract concepts and ideas are essential.

Work Environment: The selected applicant will join a new research group at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Dr. Carla Ng. Expect a dynamic ‘startup’ environment with the opportunity to contribute to and shape the group’s research trajectory. Excellent computing facilities will be available. Dr. Ng’s experience at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) brings deep links to world-leading research groups and opportunities for collaboration.

Applications should include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, references and transcript of grades (document scan).