Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering

The research group of Professor Irene M. C. Lo at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (http://home.ust.hk/~irenelo/), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (http://www.ust.hk/eng/about/index.htm) would like to invite applications for a Post-doctorial Fellow position in the area of nanotechnology for environmental applications. Professor Irene Lo¡¦s research lab has successfully synthesized mesoporous magnetic Fe2O3 (MMIO) particles. The newly synthesized mesoporous materials are attracting a lot of attention for their large surface area and uniform mesopores, which facilitate fast and effective contaminant sorption. The large surface area of MMIO particles promotes high Cr(VI) sorption capacity. More importantly, the relatively large size of MMIO particles provides them with strong magnetism, making them suitable for magnetic separation and for subsurface remediation. In this funded project, we will investigate the use of MMIO for ex-situ and in-situ Cr(VI) removal from contaminated groundwater and soils. Batch experiments will be conducted to investigate the MMIO application for ex-situ groundwater treatment and ex-situ soil washing. Magnetic separation will be used to separate and recover the MMIO from aqueous and soil systems after each treatment. The conditions of applied external magnetic field for MMIO recovery in these systems will be optimized. Column studies will be conducted to evaluate the possibility of applying MMIO for in-situ remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soils. For those researchers who are interested in this newly funded project, please submit a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three referees to: Professor Irene M. C. Lo at cemclo@ust.hk. The position will be initially for one year and is renewable for another 2 years depending on the research progress. The successful candidate is expected to have relevant publications in highly respected journals in the field of nanotechnology and a good command of oral and written English. He/she will join the research group that includes 4 graduate students, 1 postdoctoral fellow, and 3 environmental laboratory technicians. Salary for post-doctoral fellow is highly competitive; travel for attending an international conference after the first year contract is available.