About the Job:
Professors William Arnold and Sebastian Behrens are seeking a post-doctoral associate in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering. The person would take the lead on a project co-supervised by Profs. Behrens and Arnold to evaluate microbial degradation of fluorinated pesticides and pharmaceuticals to identify which chemical structures are mineralized to fluoride and which lead to formation of persistent fluorinated byproducts. The key tasks will be to run biodegradation experiments with activated sludge and soil microbial communities to assess degradation kinetics, identify and quantify fluoride and fluorinated organic byproducts using NMR and mass spectrometry, identify the organisms responsible for degradation, and quantify microbial responses to fluorinated pesticides and pharmaceuticals using cell sorting and sequencing techniques. The individual will also interact with, lead, and assist graduate and undergraduate students in the research group. 

90% Research

• Conduct research related to specific externally-funded projects, including collecting and analyzing data, troubleshooting challenges, and assisting graduate and undergraduate students on the project, as needed.
• Individually and collaboratively write reports for sponsors and papers to submit to refereed journals. 

10% Lab Citizen

• Attend lab meetings with the entire research group and one-on-one meetings with Professors Arnold and Behrens, as required. 
• Attend relevant lectures, seminars, and training sessions.
• Maintain the highest safety standards and adhere to University of Minnesota policies.
• Assist other lab/community members, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or closely related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong laboratory skills in environmental microbiology and/or chemistry 
• Strong laboratory skills in reactor design and set-up
• Experience with mass spectrometry, NMR and/or molecular biology techniques
• Ability to work and coordinate with external partners
• Ability to work independently and troubleshoot problems effectively
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality publications
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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