Post Doctoral Research Associate

Title:
Post Doctoral Research Associate

Department:
Civil & Environmental Engineering

Reports To:
Professor

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Nanotechnology in Sustainable Environment and
Agriculture (NiSEA) Laboratory at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
(NJIT), led by Professor Wen Zhang, invites applications for a full-time Post
Doctoral Research Associate. The
position is part of a DOE- and CDI-funded project focused on developing CO
nanobubble-driven mixotrophy-based carbon capture and nutrient recovery
technology. This innovative research aims to enhance carbon transfer efficiency
(CTE) and carbon utilization efficiency (CUE) in microalgae systems through
nanobubble-assisted cultivation and process modeling, contributing to scalable,
carbon-neutral biotechnologies.

Essential Functions:
-Conduct laboratory-scale and pilot-scale experiments on CO nanobubble generation and mixotrophic microalgae cultivation for carbon capture and nutrient recovery.
-Perform carbon flux quantification, monitor carbon transfer and utilization efficiencies, and optimize CO dosing strategies under mixotrophic conditions.
-Operate and maintain nanobubble generators, algal bioreactors, and analytical instruments (e.g., DLS, Zetasizer, NTA, spectrophotometer, TOC analyzer).
-Analyze biochemical, nutrient, and gas transfer data; develop process models linking CO delivery, carbon flux, and biomass productivity.
-Contribute to techno-environmental-economic analyses for technology scalability and environmental sustainability.
-Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and contribute to proposals and stakeholder engagement activities.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
-M.S. or Ph.D. (completed or near completion) in Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
-Extensive hands-on experience in handling microalgae or single-cell systems, including cultivation, harvesting, and biochemical analysis.
-Demonstrated expertise in mixotrophic microalgae cultivation systems for nutrient recovery and carbon capture.
-Strong skills in regulating carbon flux, understanding organic and inorganic carbon utilization, and optimizing bioprocess conditions for improved CO sequestration.
-Proven record of independent research, data interpretation, and scientific writing (publications, reports, or conference papers).
-At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
-Previous experience with CO nanobubbles applications in microalgae cultivation, gas-liquid mass transfer studies, or reactor engineering.
-Familiarity with bioreactor operations, dissolved gas measurement, and photosynthetic efficiency assays.
-Interest in resource recycling, carbon neutrality, and circular bioeconomy frameworks.
-Competence in process modeling and techno-economic/environmental analysis is an asset.

Bargaining Unit:
AFT-UCAN

Salary Information:
In compliance with the NJ Pay Transparency Law, the negotiated starting annual salary for this position is $62,232.00 (USD). NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses or other items.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefits NJIT offers for this position, please visit our benefits page: https://hr.njit.edu/health-benefits.

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time