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University of Rochester: Office of the Provost: Academic Center: School of Arts & Sciences: Earth & Environmental Sciences

Salary Range or Pay Grade

60,000.00-64,000.00

Description

Description:

The University of Rochester’s Ice Core and Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory, located in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, has an opening for a postdoctoral position. The successful candidate will work with **Dr. Aparajeo Chattopadhyay** and **Professor Vasilii Petrenko** on an atmospheric chemistry gas kinetics project recently funded by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (NSF-AGS). In this laboratory project, we aim to investigate the kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) of methane (CH 4 ) in atmospheric removal through reactions with the hydroxyl (OH) radical and the chlorine (Cl) atom, employing a temperature and pressure-controlled laser photochemical reactor coupled with online and offline spectroscopic determinations of relevant chemical species for kinetic analysis. Tunable Infrared Laser Direct Absorption Spectroscopy (TILDAS) is the primary analytical technique used in this study for high-precision measurement of methane isotopologues (d 13 C and dD). The improved uncertainty in our measured KIEs is expected to better constrain the global CH 4 budget from atmospheric CH 4 isotopic measurements.

For more information about this project, please visit the following link:

Kinetic Isotope Effects in Atmospheric Sinks of Methane (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD\_ID=2516797&HistoricalAwards=false)

Information about our laboratory can be found here:

Ice Core and Atmospheric Chemistry Lab (https://www.sas.rochester.edu/ees/petrenko/index.html)

Please direct all questions about the position to **Dr. Aparajeo Chattopadhyay** at [email protected] .

Key Responsibilities:

1. Participate in the fabrication and testing of a photochemical reactor

2. Design, plan, and perform laboratory experiments

3. Analyze data and interpret results

4. Maintain and develop laboratory equipment

5. Prepare project reports, manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at professional conferences

6. Mentor undergraduate or graduate students as needed

Appointment Details:

**Start date:** As early as March 2026 (negotiable)

**Duration:** Initial appointment for 2 years, with potential for renewal based on performance and available funding.

Qualifications

1. A Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemical Physics, or related field is mandatory (must be completed by the start date)

2. Strong research background and experience in experimental chemical kinetic methods and data analysis/interpretation are desirable

3. Experience with IR and UV spectroscopy, pulsed laser systems, and gas handling systems is preferred

4. Ability to conduct independent research and work as part of a team

5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills

6. Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals

Application Instructions

Application Instructions

_If you already have an Interfolio account, please sign in to apply to this position. If not, please create an Interfolio account._

Interested applicants should submit:

+ A cover letter describing research interests and career goals

+ Curriculum vitae (CV) including publications record

+ Names and contact information of 3 professional references (Letters will only be requested after shortlisting)

Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

EOE, including disability/protected veterans

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.