Utilizing mass spectrometry to understand the atmosphere

Research Opportunity at the United States Environmental Protection Agency

Title:

Utilizing mass spectrometry to understand the atmosphere

Research Area (s):

Air

Lab, Region/Center, Office:

Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling (CEMM), Office of Research and Development

Opportunity Location:

Research Triangle Park, NC

Opportunity Funding (Duration):

• National Science Foundation Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (6 months maximum)
• Other Programs (contact research lead)

Project Description:

This project encompasses a broad variety of topics within the field of atmospheric chemistry measurements utilizing gas-phase mass spectrometry. Research topics can include, but are not limited to: investigating chemistry initiated by air cleaners, organic nitrogen species, SOA formation, and PFAS. Platforms include laboratory studies, atmospheric chamber studies, and ambient studies at Duke Forest. Additional analytical instrumentation or chemically explicit box modeling (F0AM) can also be employed to understand experiments.

The project supports EPA CEMM’s mission to develop, evaluate, and apply measurements and models to characterize the sources, occurrence, transformation, transport and effects of pollutants and stressors in the natural environment.

Fellowship Goal and Learning Objectives:

Goal: The fellow will utilize chemical ionization (CI) or proton transfer (PTR) mass spectrometry to explore topics of atmospheric chemistry.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify outstanding scientific questions in the field of atmospheric chemistry and designing experiments to address the questions
• Learn the use and operation of different laboratory measurement techniques
• Collaborate effectively within the EPA with researchers with different skillsets and scientific backgrounds
• Conduct experiments, analyze data, and write peer-reviewed journal articles

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of mass spectrometry, either PTR or CIMS
• Familiarity with a programming language (e.g. MATLAB, R, Python) or motivation to learn
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and within small groups

Qualifications:  Graduate student or Ph.D. in one of the following fields: Chemistry (environmental, atmospheric, analytical, engineering, etc), Environmental Science, Physics (environmental, atmospheric, etc)

Point of Contact or Research Lead:

S. Ryan Fulgham (Fulgham.ryan@epa.gov) & Emma D’Ambro (Dambro.emma@epa.gov)