Postdoctoral Research Associate – Regional Air Quality Modeling and Forecasting

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The Opportunity:

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a qualified applicant for a 12-month, full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position based on the WSU main campus in Pullman, WA.

The incumbent will play a central role in the NW-AIRQUEST (Northwest International Air Quality Environmental Science and Technology Consortium) project, supporting the operation, evaluation, and development of AIRPACT (https://airpact.wsu.edu/), the regional air quality forecast system that provides daily forecasts of pollutant concentrations (PM2.5, O3, SO2, NO2, CO, and PM10) for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the surrounding region. AIRPACT is built on the WRF–SMOKE–CMAQ modeling framework and runs daily on WSU’s high-performance computing system. The work directly supports federal, state, tribal, and local air quality managers in the Pacific Northwest and contributes to protecting public health across the region. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to demonstrate leadership within the lab, including mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

About the research group: The incumbent will join the Air Quality Research Lab (https://www.jun-meng.com/) led by Dr. Jun Meng, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The group conducts research to enhance understanding of the interrelations between air quality, climate change, and human health, with expertise in atmospheric composition modeling, air quality forecasting, satellite-based PM2.5 estimation, and wildfire smoke and dust aerosols. The lab leads the operation and development of the AIRPACT regional air quality forecast system for the Pacific Northwest.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Jun Meng and will collaborate closely with NW-AIRQUEST Consortium members, including state, federal, and tribal air quality agencies.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:

80% Research

20% Scholarship, Outreach, and Collaboration

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521.

Annual Salary: $62,232 - $70,000  | Commensurate with experience and qualifications
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position expected to start on October 1, 2026 and end on September 30, 2027. The position is expected to end within one year of starting. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Postdoctoral Requirements: For detailed information on eligibility for postdoctoral appointments, please visit: WSU/UAW Postdoctoral Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Meteorology, or a related field by the start date.

• Strong background in atmospheric/air quality modeling with 3D chemical transport models (e.g., CMAQ, CAMx, WRF-Chem, GEOS-Chem).

• Experience working in high-performance computing (Linux) environments, including shell scripting.

• Strong programming and data analysis skills (e.g., Python, Fortran, R).

• Demonstrated ability of scholarly output (peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations).

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaborate within a team structure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with the SMOKE emissions processing system and the CMAQ modeling system.

• Background in atmospheric chemistry modeling, including experience with gas-phase chemical mechanisms and/or aerosol chemistry.

• Experience with WRF and meteorological modeling.

• Experience running or maintaining operational/automated forecast systems.

• Experience applying machine learning methods to air quality or geophysical data (e.g., forecast bias correction).

• Experience with model performance evaluation using ground-based and satellite observations.

• Experience with emissions inventories, including point source and fire emissions.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: May be eligible for work visa sponsorship
About Department - Civil and Environmental Engineering | Washington State University
Area/College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Department Name: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: Pullman, WA
Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

• Cover letter describing research experience and fit with the position

• Curriculum vitae (including a list of peer-reviewed publications)

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
All candidates, documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Dr. Jun Meng ([email protected]).

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Union Representation: This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on the WSU Labor Relations website.

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

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