Description

We currently have 5 post-doc openings in Dr. Patrick Fedick's mass spectrometry laboratory at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). Post-docs must be US citizens as they will receive a Department of Defense security clearance. The positions are one-year appointments that are renewable for up to three years total. The salary is 75,000, as well as relocation funds, and an additional 3K minimum set aside for conference travel. The projects span from PFAS related in-field mapping and remediation to high throughput screening and reaction discovery by automated robotics coupled to mass spectrometry and electrochemical setups for the development of novel explosives and propellants. The five projects are listed below.

1. In-field soil sampling of PFAS contamination by 3D-printed cone spray ionization coupled to a portable mass spectrometer, funded by NESDI and Army ERDC. We know that there are a number of sites that are contaminated with PFAS from both AFFF and from military munitions. The current method for mapping a contaminated site is scooping soil, bringing it back to the lab, working it up, and then running LC-MS. Ambient ionization speeds up these analyses and through coupling to a portable ion trap make field studies possible. This project will map PFAS contamination at various sites at NAWCWD in year one, NSWC Crane in year two, and Point Mugu in year three with our patented ion source 3D-PCSI-MS.
2. PFAS detection is an important analytical capability but once it is identified we need to treat the contaminated area. Thermal treatments are inefficient and cause harmful byproducts. Our group has a patent pending photocatalytic method for PFAS destruction. This project funded by Army ERDC and NESDI and in collaboration with external industrial partners, seeks to optimize the photocatalytic properties and develop on-line mass spectrometry monitoring tools.
3. High throughput automated reaction screening for energetic compounds, funded by DARPA. A large scale liquid handling system and integrated mass spectrometer with automated DESI has been custom designed for energetic reaction screening. The setup will enable us to screen up to 6000 reactions an hour and provide yes/no answers on reaction conditions. We can screen reactions and make heat maps to identify if a synthetic route should be explored further, either in our accelerated systems or in normal roundbottom flask chemistry. We can change acids, concentrations, stoichiometry, catalyst loading, etc. through the robot and screen for these optimized conditions rapidly.
4. High throughput automated reaction screening for bioenergetic precursors and biomanufacturing, funded by ONR. The aforementioned liquid handling system and integrated mass spectrometer with automated DESI can be applied to enzymatic reaction screening. In collaboration with Battelle, our setup will enable us to screen complex enzymatic reactions for the formation of highly desired energetic precursors to reduce the biomanufacturing lifecycle. There are a number of large follow-on projects pending after the completion of the ONR project.
5. High throughput automated reaction screening by electrochemical processes, funded by DARPA and SERDP. The liquid handling system can also be coupled to high throughput screening electrochemical setups. The screening of electrochemical reactions for novel explosives will be explored in this project. Reaction conditions developed on the automated robot will then be scaled and compared against traditional synthetic methods.

We also have on-going projects in reaction acceleration through confined volume reactors, in-situ thermal breakdown monitoring of environmental pollutants and military munitions, and improvements and applications of 3D-PCSI-MS. Post-docs will have the opportunity to work on side projects in these areas if of interest. 

Some background information, the position will be housed in my laboratory at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California. I am a part of the Research Division which comprises ~ 23 PhD Chemistry PIs and ~6 Chemistry Post-Doctoral researchers. We have a number of mass spectrometers (LTQ XL x3, MALDI ToF-ToF, LC-Triple, LC-Orbi , LC-Quad, MTE30 Portable Trap x3, GC-Orbi x2, GC-single quad, DESI QTof, TGA-MS…with another LC-Orbi, portable GC, and GCxGC all arriving next year along with our brand new building), we also have a number of 3D printers (both SLA and FDM, benchtop and high temperature), and a number of commercial and home built ion sources. We are also the Navy's premier high throughput and automated synthesis laboratory for energetic development. Our laboratory houses 3 one-of-a-kind robots as well as 2 off-the-shelf setups. We also have a number of IKA electrochemical reactors and HTE e- chem high throughput electrochemical setups.

NAWCWD is located in the Mojave desert so we have sunny days 99% of the year. The location can be excellent for individuals who love hiking and nature! We are two hours from LA and the beach, and three hours from year round skiing and snowboarding!

Requirements

1. US Citizenship