DoD Computational Chemistry Postdoctoral Researcher

The Environmental Laboratory (EL) is one of the seven laboratories of U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (USACE-ERDC), which is the Army Corps of Engineers' integrated research and development (R&D) organization. EL provides solutions to environmental challenges for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Nation through environmental science and engineering research and development. Researchers in EL conduct research in ecosystem science and technology, environmental resiliency, environmental sensing, ecological modeling and forecasting, risk and decision science, environmentally sustainable material, systems biology, climate change, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental security. For more information about the US Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL), please visit https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will conduct research utilizing different computational chemistry approaches such as density functional theory, molecular dynamics simulations, and coarse-graining techniques to study structures and interactions of chemicals in complex media. Particular focus will be on evaluating the fate and transport of different chemicals. Research may also focus on studying effects of hydrations, adsorption, transport and diffusion of organic/inorganic species on some modeled surfaces at both the atomistic and coarse-graining level. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will engage in preparation of research results to be presented to the broader ERDC community; including, developing these results into publications to inform the broader scientific community through peer-reviewed journals and developing project ideas.

This ORISE appointment period is 12 months in length. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by ERDC-EL. Stipends are typically based on the participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOD, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with DOD or any other agency, this opportunity may require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is considered tentative pending favorable outcome of the investigation.