Research Interests

Atmospheric aerosol particles pose a major challenge for both regional and global environments, as they contribute to air pollution and climate change. These particles have far-reaching consequences on air quality, human health, and the Earth's overall climate, making them a critical environmental issue. My lab seeks to elucidate the molecular-level transformation mechanisms of both the traditional and emerging atmospheric aerosol particles and their impacts on many critical chemical and environmental systems with novel and interdisciplinary approaches. We use a variety of advanced analytical techniques, such as Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Aerosol Mass Spectrometry, and Raman Spectroscopy. My lab is also interested in employing cutting-edge statistical applications such as Machine Learning to understand the source and transformation of atmospheric particles. Current topics of interest include:

• Mass spectrometry development
• Aerosol gas-particle interaction and interfacial chemistry
• Machine learning application in air pollution control
• Atmospheric micro-and nano-plastics

Position Available

We seek highly motivated researchers to join our research group as postdoctoral associates, postgraduate students, and research assistants. We welcome candidates from various engineering backgrounds, including but not limited to Chemistry, Environmental Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or related fields. The candidates should be passionate about the research interests of our group and are expected to have good spoken and written English communication skills. Review of applications will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Postdoc

• Candidates must have a recent Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (see above).
• Experience in mass spectrometry, and/or spectroscopy, and atmospheric chemistry is desirable.
• Potential candidates are welcome to contact Prof. Qin with 1) a cover letter describing your research experience, research interests, and career goals, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, and (3) other supporting documents (e.g., published works).
• Competitive salary and benefits will be offered, along with funding to attend conferences to deliver papers and interact with fellow researchers. Excellent candidates interested in applying for Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme or other relevant fellowships to conduct research in our research group are highly welcome.

Ph.D. Candidates:

• Candidates must have a Bachelor degree or/and Master degree in a relevant discipline (see above).
• Candidates with a background in mass spectrometry and/or spectroscopy, atmospheric chemistry, and data science are preferred but not required.
• Potential graduate students are welcome to contact Prof. Qin with 1) a cover letter describing your research experience, research interests, and career goals, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, and (3) copies of academic transcripts.
• Applicants will have to go through a centralized admission process through the City University of Hong Kong with Prof. Qin’s recommendation. Various funding mechanisms are available for eligible candidates, such as Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), University Grants Committee (UGC) Research Assistant (RA) Scheme, University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Assistant (TA) Scheme. Detailed application information can be found at: http://www.ncm2.xyz/see/programmes/research-degree-programme

Research Assistants

• If you're currently an undergraduate or master's student considering applying for a Ph.D. with us in the future, a research assistant position could be an excellent option to let you become familiar with our research projects and prepare you for the application process.
• Potential students are welcome to contact Prof. Qin with 1) a cover letter describing your research experience, research interests, and career goals, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, and (3) copies of academic transcripts.

Master students and Undergraduate

• We also welcome highly motivated and enthusiastic master students and undergraduates to join us. Please email Prof. Qin for details.

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.

Selected Publications

1. Y. Qin, L. M. Wingen, B. J. Finlayson-Pitts, Toward a molecular understanding of the surface composition of atmospherically relevant organic particles. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 119, e2209134119 (2022). Link
2. Y. Qin, J. Ye, P. Ohno, P. Liu, J. Wang, P. Fu, L. Zhou, Y. J. Li, S. T. Martin, C. K. Chan, Assessing the nonlinear effect of atmospheric variables on primary and oxygenated organic aerosol concentration using machine learning. ACS Earth Sp. Chem. 6, 1059–1066 (2022). Link
3. Y. Qin, J. Ye, P. Ohno, J. Zhai, Y. Han, P. Liu, J. Wang, R. A. Zaveri, S. T. Martin, Humidity dependence of the condensational growth of α-pinene secondary organic aerosol particles. Environ. Sci. Technol. 55, 14360–14369 (2021). Link
4. P. E. Ohno, Y. Qin, J. Ye, J. Wang, A. K. Bertram, S. T. Martin, Fluorescence aerosol flow tube spectroscopy to detect liquid–liquid phase separation. ACS Earth Sp. Chem. 5, 1223–1232 (2021). Link
5. J. Wang, J. Ye, Q. Zhang, J. Zhao, Y. Wu, J. Li, D. Liu, W. Li, Y. Zhang, C. Wu, C. Xie, Y. Qin, Y. Lei, X. Huang, J. Guo, P. Liu, P. Fu, Y. Li, H. C. Lee, H. Choi, J. Zhang, H. Liao, M. Chen, Y. Sun, X. Ge, S. T. Martin, D. J. Jacob, Aqueous production of secondary organic aerosol from fossil-fuel emissions in winter Beijing haze. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 118, e2022179118 (2021). Link
6. Y. Qin, J. Ye, P. E. Ohno, Y. Lei, J. Wang, P. Liu, R. J. Thomson, S. T. Martin, Synergistic uptake by acidic sulfate particles of gaseous mixtures of glyoxal and pinanediol. Environ. Sci. Technol. 54, 11762–11770 (2020). Link
7. Y. Qin, H. B. Tan, Y. J. Li, Z. J. Li, M. I. Schurman, L. Liu, C. Wu, C. K. Chan, Chemical characteristics of brown carbon in atmospheric particles at a suburban site near Guangzhou, China. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 18, 16409–16418 (2018). Link
8. P. Liu, M. Song, T. Zhao, S. S. Gunthe, S. Ham, Y. He, Y. Qin, Z. Gong, J. C. Amorim, A. K. Bertram, S. T. Martin, Resolving the mechanisms of hygroscopic growth and cloud condensation nuclei activity for organic particulate matter. Nat. Commun. 9, 4076 (2018). Link
9. Y. Qin, H. B. Tan, Y. J. Li, M. I. Schurman, F. Li, F. Canonaco, A. S. H. Prév?t, C. K. Chan, Impacts of traffic emissions on atmospheric particulate nitrate and organics at a downwind site on the periphery of Guangzhou, China. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 17, 10245–10258 (2017). Link
10. Y. Qin, Y. J. Li, H. Wang, B. P. Y. L. Lee, D. D. Huang, C. K. Chan, Particulate matter (PM) episodes at a suburban site in Hong Kong: evolution of PM characteristics and role of photochemistry in secondary aerosol formation. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 16, 14131–14145 (2016). Link