Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Chemistry - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville Township, IA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate. This role is split between serving as the Department's X-ray Scientist and conducting synthetic chemistry research within Dr. David Jenkins’s group. The X-ray Scientist duties involve operating and maintaining the department's single-crystal X-ray diffractometer, performing structural analysis, providing service crystallography, and training departmental users. The research component will focus on independent and collaborative work in organic, inorganic, or organometallic synthesis, with projects in areas such as homogeneous catalysis, porous frameworks, and surface modification. Candidates must have completed their PhD dissertation before the start of employment.

Requirements

• By first day of appointment, earned a PhD in Chemistry or closely related field
• Strong knowledge of small molecule single crystal X-ray diffractometry
• Expertise in organic, organometallic, or inorganic synthesis is required.
• An excellent track record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Strong verbal and writing skills.
• Willingness to work independently and collaboratively with group members, and preferably also with experimental collaborators.
• Willingness to mentor the graduate students in the group from time to time.
• Motivated and safety conscious.
• Ability to set priorities, multi-task and adapt to ever changing needs with the proven ability to function well in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of powder X-ray diffraction techniques is advantageous.
• Proficiency with air-free synthesis is highly valuable.
• Knowledge of powder X-ray diffraction techniques or ICP is highly advantageous but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operating and maintaining a Bruker single crystal X-ray diffractometer.
• Training members of the department on the use of the Bruker single crystal diffractometer.
• Mounting crystals, collecting data, and solving crystal structures for members of the department (i.e., service structures for PIs).
• Repairing the instrument (when feasible) and working with technicians to ascertain required repairs.
• Maintaining the X-ray facility in the Department of Chemistry, including safety protocols, logbooks, and user lists (for compliance with Radiation Safety).
• Billing PIs and maintaining the X-ray cost center, and communicating with relevant accounting personnel about surplus or deficits.
• Expertise in organic, organometallic, or inorganic synthesis is required.
• Ability to contribute to one or more current research projects within the Jenkins group.
• Analytical skills that match synthetic areas of expertise (e.g. NMR, MS, PXRD or similar).

Benefits

• UT Benefits

What This Job Offers

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