Nirvan Bhattacharyya, PhD Candidate, University of Texas at Austin - Seeking a Postdoctoral Research Position
NIRVAN BHATTACHARYYA,
University of Texas at Austin Abstract Number: 584
Working Group: Meet the Job Seekers
AbstractI work at the University of Texas at Austin with Professor Lea Hildebrandt Ruiz on indoor and outdoor air chemistry and aerosol formation. My work has focused on the impact of chlorine though several studies: 1) chamber experiments on m-xylene oxidation by Cl and OH radicals to examine the influence of oxidative environment on gas and particle phase products; 2) field deployment in an oil and gas production region of a novel chlorine oxidative flow reactor (Cl-OFR) developed by Aerodyne Research, Inc. to study atmospheric aging; 3) parallel and sequential Cl-OFR and chamber oxidation of anthropogenic (m-xylene, ethylbenzene, D5 siloxane) and biogenic (isoprene, limonene, α-pinene) species to evaluate each oxidation method; and 4) bleach disinfection experiments to assess interaction with masks during COVID-19 in collaboration with Professors Novoselac and Misztal (UT Austin). In these laboratory and field studies, I have operated and analyzed data from a time of flight, chemical ionization mass spectrometer with filter inlet for particle analysis (FIGAERO-CIMS), Vocus proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (Vocus PTRMS), aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM), scanning electrical mobility system (SEMS), and a variety of gas phase monitors.
I anticipate defending my dissertation by April 2023 and could begin postdoctoral research as early as May 2023. Moving forward, I would like to utilize my knowledge of high-resolution mass spectroscopy while developing new skills around modeling and statistical analysis. I am interested in field and laboratory work, with a particular interest in projects that work directly with communities underserved by existing air monitoring and research. I have no geographical preferences and am open to positions in the US and internationally.