The Environmental NMR Centre and the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough are seeking a Senior NMR Research Associate to oversee the daily operation, training, and management of the Environmental NMR Centre. The position has a very large research and development component and the candidate is expected to work closely in and with the facilities Directors to maintain the centre at the cutting-edge of Environmental NMR globally and be central to pioneering new developments in NMR in general.
The Environmental NMR Centre currently houses two unique, Bruker BioSpin NMR systems. The first is a fully hyphenated 2D-HPLC-SPE-NMR-MS, and is novel both in Canada and Environmental Research in general. The second system has capabilities to perform in situ multiphase NMR analyses of heterogeneous samples that contain solid, gel and solution phase samples, the hardware is globally unique and being co-developed directly with Bruker BioSpin. The Centre focuses on the development and application of NMR techniques to study a range of environmental problems. The current topics of research include: environmental metabolomics, LC-SPE-NMR-MS applications to complex environmental mixtures, in vivo NMR spectroscopy imaging, hyperpolarization, DNP, development of multiphase NMR methods (solids, HR-MAS, solutions NMR as a single technique). In addition, the Centre focuses on the development and application of novel NMR approaches to complex systems (including soils, ocean sediments, atmospheric deposits (particles, rain, snow, glacial ice), cells, tissues, small organisms and other environmental matrices) to better understand structure and environmental reactivity.
After an initial probationary period, this will be a continuing full-time appointment.
The NMR scientist will report to the Chair of the Department and work closely with the Director and Associate Director of the Environmental NMR Centre. The research associate will be responsible for instrument maintenance, training of graduate students/postdoctoral fellows/visiting scientists assist in writing grant applications to upgrade the centre and co-publication of research with the facility's principal investigators and collaborators. The candidate will also be expected to lead research projects publishing both as a primary and secondary author. The successful candidate will take an active role in all aspects of the research of the NMR Centre and will strive to ensure that he/she becomes recognized as a leader in the field of Environmental NMR spectroscopy.
The candidate will also be involved in undergraduate thesis supervision in the Department's chemistry program and will be encouraged to apply to instruct one course in the undergraduate chemistry program on a yearly basis. The candidate will also oversee the operation/maintenance of a teaching/research Departmental NMR system (Bruker BioSpin 500MHz Avance) and ensure that faculty and students can acquire high quality data required for the teaching and research programs. These duties will include the set up of new experiments, training of students/faculty, maintenance and calibration. Candidates should note that the departmental NMR system is fully automated (BACS) with a single automatic tuning and matching probe (ATM) and that the department has only a small number of users, once running smoothly should require minimal intervention on a daily basis.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or related discipline with a very strong background in NMR spectroscopy and a drive/passion for the development of NMR spectroscopy. In exceptional circumstances, an established leader in the field with a MSc degree but more than 10 years of experience may be considered. In addition, experience with metabolomics, chromatography, mass spectrometry and working with complex biological and/or environmental systems are a strong assets. Experience with pulse programming, custom processing of NMR data (MATLAB, ACD, etc.) and programming/webpage design is also beneficial. Experience with Bruker instruments is very important and the ideal candidate will have experience in (or enthusiastic to learn) all areas of NMR including solutions, HR-MAS, solids and imaging.
Salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience.
Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research, a statement of teaching and three letters of reference to:
Rose Jones (Assistant to the Chair)
NMR Scientist Search Committee
Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences
University of Toronto Scarborough
1265 Military Trial
Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4
Email submissions should be sent to: rjones "at" utsc.utoronto.ca
Unfortunately, applications that are not accompanied by at least three references cannot be considered.
We will start reviewing applications beginning September 13, 2010, although the search will remain open until the position is filled.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, UTSC
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~physsci/
Andre Simpson's Environmental research group
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~asimpson/
Myrna Simpson's Research Group in Environmental Chemistry
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~msimpson/