Technical Specialist in Instrumentation for Measurement of Indoor Air Pollution

Role Description

Department

The Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York wishes to recruit a Technical Specialist to test and deploy air pollution measurement equipment in a new facility called INTERIORS (The Interdisciplinary Facility for Indoor Air Quality Research). INTERIORS will combine realistic home environments (a ’Passivhaus’ and a house typical of current UK housing stock) and state-of-the-art air pollution instrumentation. A central laboratory between the two houses, will enable measurements of key indoor air pollutants while experiments are carried out in the houses (e.g. cooking and cleaning).

The successful candidate will be part of a supportive and community-oriented department with a strong commitment to upholding our core values (embracing diversity, making a positive difference, environmental sustainability, being friendly and helpful, and always learning). The department is proud to hold an Athena Swan Silver Award. The initial instrument testing work will be carried out in the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL) in the Department of Chemistry, an experimentally intensive research facility, with more than £3M in state-of-the-art equipment. WACL supports an exceptional research environment with a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise.

Role

You will carry out initial testing and installation of the equipment in the INTERIORS facility, including the design and build of a custom sampling system to enable measurement from different rooms in the houses and outside. Calibration methodologies for the different instruments will need to be developed and a robust data logging system designed to enable long term measurements to be carried out, recorded and stored. Following the initial instrument setup, the role will involve running the instruments during the initial furnishing and interior decorating of the house to assess emissions of pollutants from these activities. The role will also involve periodic measurements of VOCs using grab sampling followed by Gas Chromatography and in-situ Mass Spectrometry techniques housed in WACL. The successful candidate will then operate the instruments for other users of the facility, providing robust measurements and accurate data.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• A first degree in physics, environmental science or chemistry, and a PhD or equivalent experience in a related subject (e.g. laser physics/physical chemistry) is desirable
• Experience of installation and operation of air pollution measurement equipment.
• Experience of working in a laboratory; awareness of health and safety issues
• Ability to plan and prioritise own work
• Attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality work
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with others within a team environment and independently using own initiative

Interview date: 7th October 2024.

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Nicola Carslaw (nicola.carslaw@york.ac.uk) or Prof James Lee (james.lee@york.ac.uk).

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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