Postdoctoral Associate - Chemistry

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Position Summary

The Nienhaus Lab of the Department of Chemistry at Rice University is seeking a postdoctoral research associate with expertise in scanning probe microscopy.

The Nienhaus Research Group is interested in understanding the role of nanoscale structure on the ensemble materials properties. The group has pioneered solid-state perovskite-sensitized photon upconversion using a variety of tetracene and anthracene derivatives and studied the triplet generation process at the interface of perovskites and organic molecules. Subtle differences in the local structural environment of the organic molecules have clear impact on the underlying energy landscape and the group uses a variety of structural, spectroscopy and microscopy methods to disentangle the structure-function relationship. At Rice, the group will continue to push the envelope of coupled scanning probe microscopy and optical spectroscopy to understand the effects of nanoscale disorder in perovskites, organic semiconductors and hydrogen-bonded supramolecular networks. Research in the Nienhaus Group is highly interdisciplinary combining a wide variety of chemical and physical methods, materials development and synthesis and engineering approaches.

Rice University is one of the top private research universities in the United States, ranked 17th in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report for national research universities. Located in Houston, the fourth largest city in the U.S., the laboratory is adjacent to the world’s largest biomedical center, including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine among over a dozen top biomedical research institutions. Rice University has made significant contributions in the fields of materials science, nanoscience, and artificial heart research.

Workplace Requirements:

This is a full-time in-person position at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Weekends and evenings are not required, though the candidate may work at these times at their discretion.

Travel outside of Rice University is not required for the position, though the successful candidate will be encouraged to attend at least one relevant scientific conference during their tenure in order to further their professional development.

Finally, this position is funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in the field of chemistry, physics or closely related field
• Bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering or closely related field

Required Skills

• Expertise in AFM and STM 
• Organization and time management skills
• Able to work in a collaborative environment and mentor students
• Able to work independently and professionally with minimal supervision and direction
• Ability to write scholarly papers based on ongoing research and submits them to journals for publication
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as oral presentation skills

Preferences

• Expertise in optical scanning probe methods
• Interest in learning single molecule optical spectroscopy 
• Working knowledge of semiconductor photophysics
• Perovskite or quantum dot experience

Essential Functions

• Supports the development of a combined confocal microscope/AFM tool
• Aids in developing an optical scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under air-free conditions in a glovebox
• Publishes and presents research findings
• Supports project management and collaboration