Micro- and Nano-Plastics Postdoctoral Position

Our incomplete knowledge of how abundant nanometer sized plastic particles are in drinking water and in the environment represent a significant risk uncertainty to human health according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Dominguez Lab at CSU San Marcos, located in sunny San Diego county, is looking for a physical/environmental scientist to work on developing a novel atomic force microscope (AFM) infrared spectroscopy-based technique to identify and classify the concentration of micro- and nano-plastics in water samples. Funding for up to two years is provided by the CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science, and Technology (COAST). Duties will include learning how to use an exciting new technique (NanoIR) to identify particles and determine their infrared spectral properties, developing sample handling and preparation techniques to make this process time efficient, working with collaborators to process field samples, and presenting results of this research at scientific conferences and journals. A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Chemistry/Physics or closely associated fields (Earth and Planetary Sciences) is highly desired.