Prof. Theodora NAH

Staff title
Associate Professor

Prof. Theodora Nah received her Hon. B.Sc. in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Toronto, and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining CityU, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Other Information

Research Interests

Current and past rapid expansion of human economic activity and population growth in coastal megacities have led to severe air and water pollution in marine and coastal environments. This has created pollution hotspots such as those commonly seen in the Pearl River Delta region including Hong Kong. Heavily polluted coastal megacities have negative consequences on climate, air and water quality, human and ecosystem health.

Prof. Nah’s research interests are in environmental chemistry, with a focus on understanding chemistry important to atmospheric particulate matter (aerosols) and dissolved organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. Research in the Nah group utilizes a combination of fundamental laboratory studies, field measurements and theoretical modeling to provide a quantitative and molecular-level understanding of how air and water pollutants are produced, transformed within and removed from marine and coastal environments.

Of specific interests are:

  1. Trace gas and marine aerosol interactions
  2. Chemistry of particulate metals in marine aerosols, and their impacts on biogeochemical cycles
  3. Chemical reactions of dissolved organic matter in aquatic systems, and their exchange at the air-sea interface

Position(s) available

There are currently several openings for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to work on projects related to the multiphase chemistry of marine aerosols.

  • Postdoc applicants should have (or are expected to have by the time of commencement) a Ph.D. in chemistry, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences/engineering, chemical engineering, earth sciences, or a related science or engineering field.
  • Graduate student applicants should have (or are expected to have by the time of commencement) a Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree with research experience in chemistry, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences/engineering, chemical engineering, earth sciences, or a related science or engineering field.

For all postdoc and graduate student applicants, effective written and oral communication skills in English are necessary. Experience with aerosol and/or atmospheric chemistry research, analytical techniques related to atmospheric sampling (e.g., mass spectrometry, ion chromatography), and data analysis is highly desired. Experience and/or aptitude with scientific programming or modelling is preferred but not essential. An ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, to achieve research project goals and meet strict deadlines is expected. 

To apply, please contact Prof. Nah (theodora.nah@cityu.edu.hk) with (1) a cover letter no longer than 2 pages describing your research experience, research interests and career goals, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) names and contact information of three references, (4) copies of academic transcripts, (5) GRE, TOEFL and IELTS scores if available, and (6) the abstract of your Ph.D. and/or Master’s thesis if applicable. Review of all applications will begin immediately. Graduate student applicants will also have to go through a centralized admission process through the City University of Hong Kong. The next intake of graduate students will be for the academic year starting September 2019. Successful postdoc and graduate student applicants will receive competitive salary and benefits, and will have opportunities to attend conferences to present their research and interact with fellow researchers. Enquiries are encouraged, and applicants can make initial informal contact with Prof. Nah before applying.

City University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, especially applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff.
Staff Image
Theodora_NAH
Contact Information
Office: YEUNG-B5425
Phone: +(852)-3442-5578
Fax: +(852)-3442-0688
Email: theodora.nah@cityu.edu.hk

Time slots for consultation

Research Interests
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Aerosol chemistry
  • Air and water pollution
  • University-Industry-Government Collaboration
  • Organic pollutant lifecycles
  • Biogeochemical cycles