Postdoctoral Research Associate, Environmental Chemistry Lab

Position title: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Hydrophilic Plastic-Associated Contaminants in Urban Water

Department: Environmental Chemistry Lab, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science

Position supervisor: Dr. Roxana Suehring
Start date: June 2021
Contract length: 2 years
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA)
Rate of pay: $43.500 + benefits per annum
Deadline date: February 20, 2021

About Ryerson

At the intersection of mind and action, Ryerson is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Ryerson University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.ryerson.ca, check out @RyersonU, external link, @RyersonHR, external link and @RyersonEC, external linkI on Twitter, and visit our LinkedIn company page, external link.
About the Emerging Contaminants Lab in the Faculty of Science
The Emerging Contaminants Lab at Ryerson University develops innovative methods to further the understanding of fate and behavior of contaminants in the environment. This means to critically examine and re-think analytical and risk assessment strategies through understanding of emission and exposure pathways for contaminants and factors that can exacerbate their potential risk. The specific research focus are contaminants in the aquatic environment that originate from consumer products, such as plastic additives.

An array of organic pollutants are present in the aquatic environment primarily through emissions within densely populated urban areas or use of agricultural products. Regulatory efforts with regards to aquatic contaminants have largely focussed on pesticides and pharmaceuticals. However, recent screening studies in Europe indicate that the majority of potentially persistent, mobile and toxic contaminants are marketed as plastic additives. So far, plastic additives as aquatic contaminants have received limited scientific and regulatory attention. This is where the work of the Emerging Contaminants Lab comes in.

Our aim is to build an understanding of the environmental fate and transport mechanisms that govern the behaviour of plastic-associated contaminants in the aquatic environment. Specifically, we are interested in identifying the properties and transport mechanisms that drive plastic additive patterns in urban waters.

The Faculty of Science especially welcomes applications from individuals who self identify as women, non-binary, Black, Indigenous or a racialized person, who will be integral towards serving our highly diverse student population. If you identify in one of the former groups, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter. This is truly an exciting time to join our Faculty as we embark on our strategic planning guided by the values of equity, diversity and inclusion and with a firm belief that diversity is our strength. We are building a culture of recognizing and celebrating diversity and welcome you to join us as we define a new paradigm of success for us in the world of science.
The opportunity
We are looking for an outstanding post-doctoral researcher to join the newly established Emerging Contaminants Lab at Ryerson University to develop innovative targeted and non-targeted/suspect screening strategies for the identification of plastic-associated contaminants in the urban aquatic environment using HPLC-QToF-MS.

For this position, we are looking for an analytical environmental chemist to develop sensitive and selective methods for the identification and subsequent quantification of hydrophilic plastic-additives (such as polyfluorinated substances, organophosphate flame retardants, and plasticisers) in urban water using HPLC-QToF-MS. The successful candidate will work closely with Ryerson Urban Water – an interdisciplinary research centre on water health and management at Ryerson University, as well as our partners at Environment and Climate Change Canada and the California State Water Resources Control Board to identify priority plastic-associated contaminants in urban water. The results will be used to inform spatial analysis of contaminant patterns, and the development of a priority list of aquatic contaminants for policy advice.

The work across collaborating institutes will ensure the successful candidate has access to state-of-the-art resources for computational, lab-based and advice-related aspects of the project, as well as provide an opportunity to develop deeper professional networks. The collaborative nature of the project provides a unique opportunity to experience various scientific, cultural and organisational structures, enabling the successful candidate to become a truly cross-disciplinary scientist.
Qualifications

• A doctorate in Environmental Sciences, (analytical) Chemistry, Physics, or a related field
• Prior experience on environmental trace analysis of organic contaminants using mass-spectrometry
• Prior experience in non-targeted analysis using HPLC-QToF-MS (or equivalent) is an asset
• The ability to work effectively and autonomously as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
• Excellent (verbal and written) communication skills

How to apply

Please email your application by following the steps below:

Click ‘Apply Now’ to be directed to the Ryerson Careers page for further instructions on how to apply online.

Please email your application to Dr. Roxana Suehring. Applications should be submitted in PDF or word formats. In the subject line please indicate: “Application for Postdoctoral Research Associate”.

Applications should include a one page cover letter, a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), and two letters of recommendation. Interviews will be held online via zoom.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only candidates who are invited to an interview will be contacted.

Work Location
This is a lab-based position and is expected to primarily work on campus.
Ryerson’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications and also reach out to Tracey King, Aboriginal HR Consultant for support during the selection process.

Please watch a message from Ryerson’s Vice President, Equity and Community Inclusion for more information on our commitment to equity.

Important Notice Re: Job Postings during COVID-19
While we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all applicants, due to the situation regarding COVID-19, please be advised that Ryerson University (“Ryerson”) reserves the right to pause a job competition at any stage in the process. Applicants will be notified in the event that the job competition process in which they are participating is suspended or paused. We appreciate your understanding during these unprecedented times. Thank you for your interest in Ryerson University.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $43,500.00 per year