Available Post Doctoral Associate Positions
Research Opportunities
Our group applies organic analytical chemistry to the understanding of environmental problems. Most of our research uses mass spectrometry for the analysis of trace levels of potentially toxic environmental pollutants. Openings for post-doctoral associates are available in the following areas:
Global Scale Transport of Halogenated Compounds. Halogenated organic compounds move through the atmosphere to remote regions of the globe. Our work focuses on semi-volatile organics such as polybrominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, and dibenzo-p-dioxins. We are making a long-term set of measurements of the concentrations of these compounds on the shores of the Great Lakes. From these data, we will be able to deduce long-term rates of change in the absolute concentrations and atmospheric residence times and sources of these compounds.Specific research areas include: atmospheric transport of halogenated compounds, rate of reactions of pollutants with OH and O3,anthropogenic organic pollutants in and around the Great Lakes, and emerging environmental contaminants such as PBDE's.
Reactions of Pollutants with the Hydroxyl Radical. In order to determine the fates of selected polychlorinated compounds and biogenic hydrocarbons, we are determining gas-phase, second order rate constants for their reactions with the hydroxyl radical (OH). In this way, we can estimate residence times due to these atmospheric removal pathways.
Anthropogenic Organic Pollutants in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes have received a considerable input of toxic organic compounds from various hazardous waste disposal sites. Other inputs are more diffuse; for example, deposition from the atmosphere. Our current goal is to understand the atmospheric transport of flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides to the Great Lakes.
Those interested in a position should e-mail their CV to Professor Hites at HitesR@Indiana.edu
Last Updated:
February 11, 2008
