Stable Isotope Metrology for Environmental and Forensics Research
NIST seeks researchers to use MC-ICPMS for environmental & forensics isotope analysis, focusing on method & standard development, quality control, & specimen banking.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at NIST Charleston using MC-ICPMS for innovative stable isotope research in environmental and forensic science, focusing on method development, standards, quality control, and specimen banking.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; applications require prior contact with research advisers; NIST participates only in February and August review cycles.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Charleston, SC, focuses on stable isotope metrology using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). MC-ICPMS enables sensitive and precise measurement of stable isotope ratios and can be coupled with various sample introduction systems, expanding stable isotope research to new elements and applications.
The research program emphasizes analytical method development, new and improved applications, standards development, quality control, and specimen banking related to environmental and forensic science, particularly marine ecosystems. Research topics include:
- Developing matrix isotopic reference materials (e.g., mercury)
- Measuring mercury isotopes in archived biological tissues (marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles) to study mercury sources and biogeochemical cycling
- Improving methodologies for boron isotopes in marine carbonate skeletons (e.g., corals) as proxies for seawater pH
- Developing isotopic tools for provenance determination, forensics, dispersal and migration studies, and detection of groundwater contamination
Applicants are sought to perform innovative science using MC-ICPMS in these or related areas.
