Project Description:
This is a unique opportunity to develop a novel
application of NMR spectroscopy termed Comprehensive Multiphase NMR
spectroscopy (CMP NMR).
CMP NMR is a new area of NMR spectroscopy that
incorporates solid-state, semi-solids (HR-MAS) and solution-state NMR.
The candidate will work with a range of unique hardware prototypes to
study intact natural samples that have solid, gel and liquid components
(samples may include plants, soils, sediments, tissue/bone etc.)
thereby eliminating the need for drying or pre-treatment. This research
aims to differentiate molecular structures in various natural phases
and more importantly, to permit the study of the chemistry and
transport between phases and across key interfaces by NMR spectroscopy
for the first time. The successful candidate will have ample
opportunities to publish in a diverse range of disciplines.
The project will be carried out in close
collaboration with Bruker BioSpin and will involve: 1) fundamental
development of the technique and preliminary applications in a range of
disciplines; and 2) development of applications in environmental
chemistry. Environmental applications will focus on understanding the
molecular processes behind soil/sediment contamination. The costs
associated with the clean-up of contaminated sites in the European
Union and the United States is on the order of 1.4 trillion euro.
However, current remediation strategies target only the soluble
fraction of soil leaving a considerable soil-bound component, that has
been linked to a variety of illnesses. Remediation of this
“sequestered” fraction is presently impossible as the chemical
components of soil that strongly bind contaminants as-well as the
molecular mechanisms that hold the contaminants to the soil are not
known. CMP-NMR will provide a detailed insight at the molecular-level
of the processes that cause contaminants to be entrapped in the soil
matrix and describe the complete binding environment of the contaminant
in unaltered natural samples. The results of this project will
contribute directly to the development of novel soil remediation
strategies.
The candidate must have an extremely strong
background in NMR spectroscopy ideally with expertise in solid-state,
HR-MAS and solution-state NMR. Expertise in one area is sufficient as
long the candidate is willing and interesting in to learn all areas of
NMR spectroscopy. The candidate must be open minded and willing to work
with very complex environmental samples and be able to design novel
pulse programs that combine aspects from solution-state and solid-state
NMR. Candidates will need to draw upon and integrate a range of
concepts including saturation transfer, diffusion editing,
cross-polarization dynamics, relaxation filters, isotope filtering with
1-3D NMR spectroscopy to access specific key molecular interactions
from within complex matrices. The candidate will have access to a range
of state of-the-art equipment at the Environmental NMR center including
prototype multiphase probes and hardware, as well as solid-state,
HR-MAS, liquid-state, micro-imaging, and hyphenated
(2D-HPLC-SPE-NMR-MS(Q-q-Tof) NMR spectrometers.
The candidate should have an interest in
environmental chemistry and/or willingness to learn key issues in this
field. Due to the very technical nature of the project the position is
specifically suited to a gifted and open-minded NMR spectroscopist
rather than an environmentalist with NMR experience. The candidate must
be willing to travel and may be expected to lead visits with graduate
students to the Bruker BioSpin Corporation headquarters, if required.
Application
Candidates should send a complete C.V. including a
publication list, a one page statement outlining their suitability and
their interest in the position. Candidates should arrange to have 3
references sent directly. Applications without the appropriate
references have to be considered incomplete and cannot be considered.
Applications and references should be sent to
Professor André Simpson
Director of the Environmental NMR Center
Department of Chemistry
Division of Physical and Environmental Sciences
University of Toronto at Scarborough
1265 Military Trail
Toronto, MIC 1A4
Canada
or e-mailed as a PDF attachment to
andre.simpson@utoronto.ca
All applications and references must be received by
Nov 30th 2009.
