Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Center for Renewable Carbon: UTIA

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Current methods for creating liquid-repellent surfaces heavily depend on fluorine chemistry (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which has caused significant harm to ecosystems and human health. However, nature does not need fluorinated chemicals to repel liquids, e.g., lotus leaves, insects, and animals). The selected applicant will join Dr. Mi Li’s group to exploit the surface chemistry and material structure using plant-based chemicals and materials to engineer low surface energy materials. The successful candidate will develop fundamental understanding and practical routes for this project. The duration of the initial appointment is 12 months with a possible 1-year renewal based on performance, funding, programmatic need, and institutional approval. Anticipated start date is January 1, 2027. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Requirements

Must be an accredited PhD graduate in wood science, chemical engineering, pulp and paper engineering, polymer chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field.
Evidence of research productivity and the ability to formulate hypotheses, design rigorous experiments, interpret results, and communicate findings clearly.
Hands-on experience in at least one area relevant to the position, such as biomass chemistry, nanomaterials, surface and interface characterization or porous and particulate materials.
Strong written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Cellulose and lignin chemistry and chemical modification, multiscale structure design, and materials performance
Familiarity with advanced characterization methods, such as NMR, FTIR, GC/MS, GPC, CNHS, TGA, DSC, SEM, and goniometer.

Responsibilities

Design and conduct independent and collaborative research in biomaterials, biomass chemistry, biopolymer chemistry, and related areas.
Plan and perform experiments; establish reproducible protocols; maintain complete research records; and analyze and interpret data critically.
Synthesize and characterize low-surface energy chemicals using plant-based precursors
Design and assess materials with desired micro-/nano-structures
Prepare peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, technical reports, and contributions to research proposals.
Participate actively in laboratory and project meetings and contribute to an open, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research culture.