Postdoctoral Researcher – Controlling Charges in 2D Materials and Plasmonic Nanostructures

National Laboratory of the Rockies • Golden, CO

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chemistry and Nanoscience Center is looking for a Postdoctoral researcher to aid in the basic understanding and controlling of charge generation, separation, and recombination within photoactive nanomaterials. The successful applicant will have expertise in synthesis, manipulation, and characterization of 2D materials and/or plasmonic nanostructures, such as transition metal dichalcogenides or metal nanoparticles, with a focus on probing charge transfer at interfaces by tuning the optoelectronic properties, coupling to plasmonic systems, and/or create unique 2D interfaces. Synthesis of 2D layers via top down (mechanical, surfactant, and chemical exfoliation) and bottom up (chemical vapor deposition, solvo/hydrothermal growth) methods will be leveraged within the postdoctoral research along with wet-chemical synthesis of plasmonic heterointerfaces. Doping, functionalization, defect engineering, plasmonic interactions, and engineered/dynamically generated strain will be needed to tune optoelectronic properties along with characterization tools. The successful candidate will utilize these experimental design tools to create and probe 2D materials, metal nanoparticles, and heterojunctions to control the generation, separation and recombination of photogenerated charges. Therefore, the successful candidate should have experience with or show evidence of the ability to quickly learn new techniques such as Confocal Raman/photoluminescence spectroscopy and microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, transient absorption, etc. Additionally, the successful applicant should have expertise in data analysis, experimental design, and writing of manuscripts. The successful applicant will have experience working in a team of material scientists, chemists, spectroscopists, and theorists to probe and understand surfaces and interfaces of newly developed chemistries and architectures. The initial appointment is for 1 year with extension of up to 3 years total preferred, provided mutual satisfaction and availability of funds. Please include a cover letter to complete your application.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fields.
• Established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publication, and communication.
• Experience with or show evidence of the ability to quickly learn new techniques such as Confocal Raman/photoluminescence spectroscopy and microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, transient absorption, etc.
• Expertise in data analysis and experimental design.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience in one or more of the following areas: Nanostructure synthesis with a focus on 2D materials or plasmonics
• Surface functionalization, phase control, and/or defect engineering of nanostructures
• Designing, making, and modifying heterostructures
• Characterization of the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors
• Spectroscopy or microscopy of nanomaterials surfaces

Responsibilities

• Aid in the basic understanding and controlling of charge generation, separation, and recombination within photoactive nanomaterials.
• Probe charge transfer at interfaces by tuning the optoelectronic properties, coupling to plasmonic systems, and/or create unique 2D interfaces.
• Utilize experimental design tools to create and probe 2D materials, metal nanoparticles, and heterojunctions to control the generation, separation and recombination of photogenerated charges.
• Work in a team of material scientists, chemists, spectroscopists, and theorists to probe and understand surfaces and interfaces of newly developed chemistries and architectures.
• Write manuscripts.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Pension benefits
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards
• Relocation expense reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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