Post Doctoral Associate - Chemistry

University of Miami • Coral Gables, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Miami/UHealth Department of Chemistry has an exciting opportunity for a full time Post Doctoral Associate to work in Coral Gables, FL. The Post Doctoral Associate performs scientific research and studies under the supervision of managing staff. Moreover, the Post Doctoral Associate promotes institutional recognition through literal contributions to the scientific community. The successful candidate will conduct research in physical chemistry, chemical spectroscopy, and photophysics in the Barskiy Lab. The position will focus on spectroscopic studies of molecular excited states, with emphasis on photoactive coordination complexes and their connection to spin chemistry, hyperpolarization, and quantum measurement approaches.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field is required.
• Strong background in optical spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, time-resolved spectroscopy, excited-state dynamics, photochemistry, or coordination chemistry is highly desired.
• Experience with ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy, time-resolved UV–Vis/IR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, frozen-matrix IR, or related laser-based techniques is preferred.
• Experience with computational chemistry methods such as DFT, TD-DFT, and/or EOM-CCSD, and familiarity with Gaussian, ORCA, OpenMolcas, ADF, or related software is desirable.
• Experience in synthetic coordination chemistry, especially ruthenium complexes or other photoactive transition-metal complexes, is desirable.
• The successful candidate should be self-motivated, highly organized, able to work independently and collaboratively, and able to communicate effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research on specific areas of study as assigned.
• Prepares research reports and technical papers for publishing.
• Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.
• Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
• Develops advanced analytical models and systems and provides solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
• Design, perform, and analyze optical spectroscopy experiments, including UV–Vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, ultrafast pump–probe UV–Vis spectroscopy, time-resolved UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy on ns–ms timescales, and frozen-matrix IR measurements.
• Investigate excited-state dynamics, photochemical reactivity, energy/electron-transfer processes, and structure–function relationships in molecular systems, including ruthenium, iridium, and related coordination complexes.
• Synthesize, purify, and characterize coordination compounds as needed for spectroscopic and mechanistic studies, with emphasis on ruthenium and iridium complexes and related photoactive transition-metal systems.
• Use computational chemistry methods, including DFT, TD-DFT, and EOM-CCSD, with software such as Gaussian, ORCA, OpenMolcas, and ADF, to support interpretation of spectra, excited-state electronic structure, and reaction mechanisms.
• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and proposals; maintain organized experimental records; collaborate with group members and external collaborators; and mentor graduate and undergraduate students as appropriate.

Benefits

• The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.
• With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.
• We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
• United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.
• The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.
• The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service.
• A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.
• The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs.
• Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride.
• The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.
• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults.
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019.
• The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022.
• With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree