Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
Analytical chemistry, environmental microbiology, exposomics and human health
Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, Stanford, California, United States, 94305
Analytical chemistry, environmental microbiology, exposomics and human health
Job Type Post-Doc Job Institution Stanford University Job Description Dr. Yaochun Yu and Dr. Haoqi (Nina) Zhao are joining the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University with separate start dates in January 2026 (Yu) and July 2026 (Zhao). We are looking to fill multiple PhD and postdoc positions with broad focuses on analytical chemistry, (environmental) microbiology, and/or exposomics and human health topics. A1. Yu Lab background and research focus:
Dr. Yu earned his Ph.D. (2021) and M.S. (2017) degrees in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. (2015) in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering from Jilin University. Prior to joining Stanford, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in the Department of Environmental Chemistry (2022–2024) and Microbiology (2025), and at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zürich (2025). The Yu Research Group studies how chemicals interact with microbes in natural, engineered, and host-associated ecosystems with a particular focus on the biotransformation processes, and how these processes affect water and soil quality, biodiversity, food safety, and public health. More information is available at (https://yulab.stanford.edu ) Current research interests include (but are not limited to): Fate, occurrence, and ecological impact of anthropogenic chemicals and naturally occurring toxins in the environment Enrichment, isolation, and characterization of functional environmental microorganisms Synthetic microbial communities for studying and engineering chemical–microbe interactions Discovery and engineering of environmental biocatalysts (enzymes) for pollutant transformation and resource recovery Lab automation and high-throughput screening to accelerate functional characterization and system optimization Applications of AI in environmental microbiology and chemistry (e.g., predictive modelling, protein structure/function inference, reaction pattern recognition, benign chemical design) Novel reactor/bioprocess engineering for enhanced waste removal and resource recovery A2. Zhao Lab background and research focus:
Dr. Haoqi (Nina) Zhao earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from Peking University and her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington. She is currently a postdoctoral scientist at UC San Diego, focusing on computational metabolomics and exposomics. Nina’s research integrates untargeted mass spectrometry, advanced informatics, and public mass spectrometry data resources to systematically discover unknown chemicals and their links to health phenotypes. Her current focus areas include (but are not limited to) pharmaceuticals, personal care products, tire-derived chemicals, and their host and microbial metabolites. Nina’s work has been published in leading journals such as Cell, Science, Nature Communications, and Environmental Science & Technology. She received the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) from the National Institutes of Health in 2025, providing strong support for launching her independent research program. The Zhao Lab at Stanford will operate at the interface of environmental chemistry, environmental health, and computational mass spectrometry. We aim to identify previously unrecognized chemical drivers that influence human and ecosystem health. We pursue this goal by developing innovative computational and analytical methods centered around untargeted mass spectrometry. Through these efforts, we aim to enable precision environmental health strategies, inform public health policies, and inspire sustainable chemical design. Our lab will be equipped with high-end high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms, empowered by data science, AI, and interdisciplinary collaborations across microbiology, toxicology, and related fields. Current research interests include (but are not limited to): Leveraging mass spectrometry data repositories and advanced informatics tools to systematically map the chemical exposome. Developing tools and resources for mass spectrometry data analysis to advance exposomics research. Investigating host-microbiome-xenobiotic interactions and their impacts on human health. Integrating toxicology with untargeted screening to accelerate the discovery and risk assessment of unknown molecules. 5 Pediatric environmental health: chemical exposures through breastfeeding and their implications for infant development. 6 Traffic-related chemical pollution: environmental fate, occurrence, and relevance to human exposures. B. Candidate Profiles
B1. The ideal candidates for PhD positions should have: Curiosity towards the unknowns, excitement about new discoveries, commitment to deliver projects, ability to work in a team. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research projects as well as work collaboratively within a team. Bachelor degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or other related fields. A Master’s degree is preferred. Relevant prior research experience is a plus. B2. Ideal postdoc candidates for Yu Lab should have:
For this round of postdoctoral recruitment, Dr. Yu is particularly looking for researchers with the capability to compile comprehensive chemical inventories from the marketplace, optimize their detection in diverse matrices and environments, and design bioreactors to support a wide range of biotransformation experiments. Some good qualifications are: A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field. Prior hands-on experience running bioreactor experiments, particularly involving chemical biotransformation. Good in operating and developing methods in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), preferably Orbitrap systems. Experience with enrichment and isolation of environmental microorganisms under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Strong background in metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data analysis, with additional expertise in protein engineering and enzyme activity assays. Strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry and microbiology. Ability and enthusiasm to mentor junior scientists (Ph.D. students, undergraduates, or interns). A track record of productivity (e.g., publications, conference presentations) and commitment to advancing environmental sustainability research. B3. Ideal postdoc candidates for Zhao Lab should have: A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other related fields. Solid experience with untargeted mass spectrometry data analysis pipelines, coding experience is strongly preferred. Background in microbiology, toxicology, or software development is a plus. Interested in working on interdisciplinary team science, excited about new discoveries, able to deliver on time. C. Application Instructions
C1. For PhD Applicants
Candidates are welcomed to contact
either or both
Dr. Yu and Dr. Zhao, separately or together, where they see fit. For PhD students, the deadline to apply for Stanford graduate programs is December 2.
Please mention the name of the professor you want to work with in your statement of purpose when you apply to Stanford, this will ensure the application be sent to the PI directly for review. Notes: The screening and response will be conducted on a rolling basis. Given the high amount of emails received daily, emails might not be replied individually, we appreciate your patience and understanding. Potential students are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Yu and/or Dr. Zhao before they apply. We encourage you to provide the following materials ( in a single PDF ) for us to know you: Motivation Letter: Describe your research interests (especially how they align with our group's focus), relevant experience, long-term career goals, scientific vision, desired starting time (e.g., Spring 2026 or Fall 2026). Curriculum Vitae: Please include: i) your educational background, ii) GPA for all completed studies, iii) English language test score (if required) or a brief statement explaining how the requirement can be waived, iv) publications and conference presentations (include a link to your Google Scholar profile or ORCID, if available), v) relevant research experience, coursework, work history, and technical skills (if applicable). For each publication you want to emphasize, add a one-sentence description of your role and contribution. English Transcripts for all degrees. Contact information for 2–3 referees, preferably including your current academic advisor. Reference letters will only be requested after you are shortlisted for the final-round interview. Copy of TOEFL/IELTS Score Report for international students.(For example, Stanford listed the Minimum Score for Exemption from Stanford English Placement Test: TOEFL109, IELTS 8\). More info on: (https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply/test-scores ). GRE is not required but you can provide it if you have taken the exam. A motivation letter. Describe your research interests, long-term career goals, scientific vision, expected start time, and why our groups are well positioned to support your future development. A brief research plan for 2-3 years (1-2 pages). Outline the project you are interested in and would like to pursue during your postdoc, how it aligns with the group’s overarching goals, and how it will support your future career development. Samples of 2 of your most exciting publications and a short paragraph for each explaining your roles and contributions to the paper and how the work contributes to the broader field. English transcripts** for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Contact information for 3 referees. Reference letters will only be requested after you are shortlisted for the final-round interview. Proof of English proficiency documents (i.e., TOEFL/IELTS) is desired for candidates from non-English speaking academic backgrounds.
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Job Type Post-Doc Job Institution Stanford University Job Description Dr. Yaochun Yu and Dr. Haoqi (Nina) Zhao are joining the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University with separate start dates in January 2026 (Yu) and July 2026 (Zhao). We are looking to fill multiple PhD and postdoc positions with broad focuses on analytical chemistry, (environmental) microbiology, and/or exposomics and human health topics. A1. Yu Lab background and research focus:
Dr. Yu earned his Ph.D. (2021) and M.S. (2017) degrees in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. (2015) in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering from Jilin University. Prior to joining Stanford, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in the Department of Environmental Chemistry (2022–2024) and Microbiology (2025), and at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zürich (2025). The Yu Research Group studies how chemicals interact with microbes in natural, engineered, and host-associated ecosystems with a particular focus on the biotransformation processes, and how these processes affect water and soil quality, biodiversity, food safety, and public health. More information is available at (https://yulab.stanford.edu ) Current research interests include (but are not limited to): Fate, occurrence, and ecological impact of anthropogenic chemicals and naturally occurring toxins in the environment Enrichment, isolation, and characterization of functional environmental microorganisms Synthetic microbial communities for studying and engineering chemical–microbe interactions Discovery and engineering of environmental biocatalysts (enzymes) for pollutant transformation and resource recovery Lab automation and high-throughput screening to accelerate functional characterization and system optimization Applications of AI in environmental microbiology and chemistry (e.g., predictive modelling, protein structure/function inference, reaction pattern recognition, benign chemical design) Novel reactor/bioprocess engineering for enhanced waste removal and resource recovery A2. Zhao Lab background and research focus:
Dr. Haoqi (Nina) Zhao earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from Peking University and her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington. She is currently a postdoctoral scientist at UC San Diego, focusing on computational metabolomics and exposomics. Nina’s research integrates untargeted mass spectrometry, advanced informatics, and public mass spectrometry data resources to systematically discover unknown chemicals and their links to health phenotypes. Her current focus areas include (but are not limited to) pharmaceuticals, personal care products, tire-derived chemicals, and their host and microbial metabolites. Nina’s work has been published in leading journals such as Cell, Science, Nature Communications, and Environmental Science & Technology. She received the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) from the National Institutes of Health in 2025, providing strong support for launching her independent research program. The Zhao Lab at Stanford will operate at the interface of environmental chemistry, environmental health, and computational mass spectrometry. We aim to identify previously unrecognized chemical drivers that influence human and ecosystem health. We pursue this goal by developing innovative computational and analytical methods centered around untargeted mass spectrometry. Through these efforts, we aim to enable precision environmental health strategies, inform public health policies, and inspire sustainable chemical design. Our lab will be equipped with high-end high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms, empowered by data science, AI, and interdisciplinary collaborations across microbiology, toxicology, and related fields. Current research interests include (but are not limited to): Leveraging mass spectrometry data repositories and advanced informatics tools to systematically map the chemical exposome. Developing tools and resources for mass spectrometry data analysis to advance exposomics research. Investigating host-microbiome-xenobiotic interactions and their impacts on human health. Integrating toxicology with untargeted screening to accelerate the discovery and risk assessment of unknown molecules. 5 Pediatric environmental health: chemical exposures through breastfeeding and their implications for infant development. 6 Traffic-related chemical pollution: environmental fate, occurrence, and relevance to human exposures. B. Candidate Profiles
B1. The ideal candidates for PhD positions should have: Curiosity towards the unknowns, excitement about new discoveries, commitment to deliver projects, ability to work in a team. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research projects as well as work collaboratively within a team. Bachelor degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or other related fields. A Master’s degree is preferred. Relevant prior research experience is a plus. B2. Ideal postdoc candidates for Yu Lab should have:
For this round of postdoctoral recruitment, Dr. Yu is particularly looking for researchers with the capability to compile comprehensive chemical inventories from the marketplace, optimize their detection in diverse matrices and environments, and design bioreactors to support a wide range of biotransformation experiments. Some good qualifications are: A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field. Prior hands-on experience running bioreactor experiments, particularly involving chemical biotransformation. Good in operating and developing methods in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), preferably Orbitrap systems. Experience with enrichment and isolation of environmental microorganisms under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Strong background in metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data analysis, with additional expertise in protein engineering and enzyme activity assays. Strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry and microbiology. Ability and enthusiasm to mentor junior scientists (Ph.D. students, undergraduates, or interns). A track record of productivity (e.g., publications, conference presentations) and commitment to advancing environmental sustainability research. B3. Ideal postdoc candidates for Zhao Lab should have: A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other related fields. Solid experience with untargeted mass spectrometry data analysis pipelines, coding experience is strongly preferred. Background in microbiology, toxicology, or software development is a plus. Interested in working on interdisciplinary team science, excited about new discoveries, able to deliver on time. C. Application Instructions
C1. For PhD Applicants
Candidates are welcomed to contact
either or both
Dr. Yu and Dr. Zhao, separately or together, where they see fit. For PhD students, the deadline to apply for Stanford graduate programs is December 2.
Please mention the name of the professor you want to work with in your statement of purpose when you apply to Stanford, this will ensure the application be sent to the PI directly for review. Notes: The screening and response will be conducted on a rolling basis. Given the high amount of emails received daily, emails might not be replied individually, we appreciate your patience and understanding. Potential students are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Yu and/or Dr. Zhao before they apply. We encourage you to provide the following materials ( in a single PDF ) for us to know you: Motivation Letter: Describe your research interests (especially how they align with our group's focus), relevant experience, long-term career goals, scientific vision, desired starting time (e.g., Spring 2026 or Fall 2026). Curriculum Vitae: Please include: i) your educational background, ii) GPA for all completed studies, iii) English language test score (if required) or a brief statement explaining how the requirement can be waived, iv) publications and conference presentations (include a link to your Google Scholar profile or ORCID, if available), v) relevant research experience, coursework, work history, and technical skills (if applicable). For each publication you want to emphasize, add a one-sentence description of your role and contribution. English Transcripts for all degrees. Contact information for 2–3 referees, preferably including your current academic advisor. Reference letters will only be requested after you are shortlisted for the final-round interview. Copy of TOEFL/IELTS Score Report for international students.(For example, Stanford listed the Minimum Score for Exemption from Stanford English Placement Test: TOEFL109, IELTS 8\). More info on: (https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply/test-scores ). GRE is not required but you can provide it if you have taken the exam. A motivation letter. Describe your research interests, long-term career goals, scientific vision, expected start time, and why our groups are well positioned to support your future development. A brief research plan for 2-3 years (1-2 pages). Outline the project you are interested in and would like to pursue during your postdoc, how it aligns with the group’s overarching goals, and how it will support your future career development. Samples of 2 of your most exciting publications and a short paragraph for each explaining your roles and contributions to the paper and how the work contributes to the broader field. English transcripts** for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Contact information for 3 referees. Reference letters will only be requested after you are shortlisted for the final-round interview. Proof of English proficiency documents (i.e., TOEFL/IELTS) is desired for candidates from non-English speaking academic backgrounds.
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