PhD and postdoc positions are available in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Riverside under the supervision of Dr. Yun Shen. Dr. Shen’s work aims to provide Solutions for Health-Environment Nexus (SHEN). The research goal is to elucidate the transmission of pathogens across water and air and develop the control strategies accordingly. The prospective PhD/postdoc will work on one of the following projects:
- Develop control strategies for airborne pathogens. Elucidate mechanisms for aerosolization of coronavirus and other pathogens.
- Investigate pathogen persistence, virulence, and infectivity under a variety of environmental conditions.
- Study the persistence and disinfection of viral vesichles in wastewater.
- Understand interplay between biofilms and novel anti-microbial materials.
The above projects are funded by NSF, EPA, or NIH. A combination of gene sequencing and bioinformatics, microscopic imaging and spectroscopy, and surface characterization tools will be applied in the future research.
The PhD student would enroll the Fall semester 2022. Prospective highly motivated students with a B.S. or M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering, Biology/Microbiology, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Public Health, and other related fields are encouraged to apply. Candidates with research experiences in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, water treatment, aerosol science, or nanomaterials will be preferred but not mandatory.
The prospective postdoc researcher can start anytime from now. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant engineering/science field. Postdoc candidates with a background in microbiology or related fields will be strongly encouraged. The position is expected to last for two year with continuation dependent on future funding.
The PhD and postdoc candidates should also have good communication skills and be capable of working with a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative team. The candidates should be highly motivated with the ambition and commitment to lead a novel research project with broader impact. The applicant will have the opportunities to connect with a variety of researchers in different fields, the access to all the shared resources in the UC System, and multiple opportunities to attend domestic/international conferences/workshops.
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Dr. Yun Shen at yun.shen@ucr.edu. A resume or CV including education background, research experiences, publication list, GPA, and other information should be provided. The contact information of references (advisors or research mentors) should also be provided if applicable.