Post Doc Res Assoc - Chemistry

The University of Wyoming is delighted to receive your interest in our vacant position!  We strive to connect with qualified and uniquely talented individuals to join our campus community.  We would love to hear how your experiences translate to this position, the University’s Mission, Vison, and Values, and encourage you to submit an application today!

JOB TITLE: Post-Doctoral Research Associate

JOB PURPOSE: To lead the research effort outlined in the US Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences grant to the University of Wyoming entitled “Exploring the Nature of f-Element Soft Donor Interactions Using Electronically Tunable Azolate Ionic Liquids,” and to manage UW’s collaboration on this work with the Colorado School of Mines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The postdoctoral researcher will work on a US Department of Energy funded grant to develop azolate ionic liquid-based platforms for isolating entirely soft-donor ligated f-element complexes and study the differences between actinide and lanthanide interactions with N-donors. This work will involve performing solution chemistry at elevated temperature and reduced pressure to promote ligand exchanges and reactions that are entropically driven. The research will be done by targeting synthetic control over a number of N-donor ligands which can be coordinated to a single metal center, up to complete saturation of the inner coordination sphere by N-donors. Two general routes by which any coordinating anions in an f-element salt can be replaced by N-donor ligands will be employed. The anions can be substituted by neutral ligands, giving rise to a cationic complex where the anion is in the outer coordination sphere, or the anion may exchange with anionic ligands from the reaction medium and enter a separate phase altogether.

The postdoctoral researcher will characterize the synthesized f-elements complexes using common characterization techniques like Single Crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SCXRD, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), vibrational, optical, and NMR spectroscopies. 

The postdoctoral researcher will manage a collaboration in transuranic chemistry with the Colorado School of Mines. This will entail travel to Golden, CO for training and where possible and allowed, experimental work with transuranic elements. 

The postdoctoral research will write and publish (either as communications or full manuscripts) in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and where appropriate present the work at scientific conferences. The postdoctoral researcher will also write progress reports and highlights needed locally and those needed by the agency according to the agency’s reporting requirements. The postdoctoral researcher will participate in writing a renewal application in 2026.

The expectations for the postdoctoral researcher include:

• Lead DOE-funded research project on actinide chemistry.
• Write manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and reports to funding agencies.
• Supervise work by undergraduates and graduate students in the Hill/Rogers laboratory.
• Where appropriate, collaborate with other students, faculty, and researchers in the Department of Chemistry.

COMPETENCIES: The candidate should have experience in synthesis and characterization of inorganic coordination complexes. The candidate should have experience in solid state characterization methods, particularly by X-ray diffraction. The candidate should have a record of scholarly publishing. Some experience in electrochemistry is preferred.

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: This position provides vital support to campus customers and requires the successful candidate be available to work on campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A PhD in Chemistry is required for this position, along with experience in inorganic synthesis and solid state characterization.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants should demonstrate experience with synthesis and characterization of metal complexes, actinide selective coordination chemistry, safe handling, storage and waste of radioactive material, crystal growth and screening, and spectroscopic techniques (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, UV-Vis, Fluorescence, IR, X-ray diffraction). The applicant must be willing to be trained for and to perform research with transuranic elements. Experience in electrochemistry is preferred.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application: cover letter, resume or C.V. and contact information for four work-related references.  

HIRING STATEMENT:  

UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer (UW Reg 4-1). The University does not discriminate in employment or personnel practices on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief, pregnancy, or any other protected category or participation in any protected activity.  In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 30,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/