IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering (https://iihr.uiowa.edu/) and the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) (https://cheec.uiowa.edu/) at the University of Iowa (https://uiowa.edu/) seeks multiple highly motivated postdoctoral research scholars for positions that will contribute to the efforts of IIHR and the CHEEC under the  supervision of Dr. David Cwiertny (https://cheec.uiowa.edu/people/david-cwiertny).

The initial appointment is full-time for one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding. Research will contribute to the newly launched Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (Iowa INSIGHT), a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to understanding how Iowa’s environment is impacting the health of its people made possible through the generous support of the Kyle J. and Sharon Krause Family Foundation. Iowa INSIGHT is a statewide initiative that will produce scientific evidence needed to understand how environmental exposures affect human health — from the air Iowans breathe to the water they drink. The program will work to identify environmental factors contributing to Iowa’s high cancer rates and other adverse health problems, including maternal and newborn health, reproductive health, and neurodevelopmental disorders.  The postdoctoral scholars will contribute to research initiatives centered on environmental monitoring and biomonitoring, while contributing to a vibrant team of researchers at CHEEC that includes research staff, as well as graduate and undergraduate student researchers.

Required Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, or related fields, prior to starting the position.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience and significant expertise in processing (e.g., solid phase extraction) of environmental samples, including water, air and heterogeneous media, and/or processing of biospecimen samples (e.g., whole blood, serum, urine, breast milk).


• Prior experience and significant expertise with analysis of environmental and/or biospecimen samples via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).


• He/she should also demonstrate the ability to communicate research findings to the general public at the interface of environmental engineering and environmental health.


• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in the field collection of environmental samples across diverse media (water, soil, sediment, etc.)


• Experience with non-targeted analytical approaches using LC-MS/MS


• Prior work with analysis using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).


• Prior analytical experience with high priority contaminant targets for CHEEC including PFAS chemicals, pesticides including glyphosate, 2,4-D, and dicamba, algal toxins, and unregulated disinfection byproducts.


• Experience working on projects related to exposure assessment and biomonitoring.


• Experience working on interdisciplinary and highly collaborative research teams.


• Prior experience mentoring students in a laboratory setting    


• Grant writing and fundraising expertise to support future research.