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Postdoctoral Scholar in Mesoporous Structure

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Position description

The University of California, Merced is a dynamic new university campus in Merced, California. The University opened in September 2005 as the tenth campus of the University of California and the first American research university in the 21st century. In keeping with the mission of the University to provide teaching, research and public service of the highest quality, UC Merced offers research-centered and student-oriented educational opportunities at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels through three academic schools: Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences/Humanities/Arts.

The Functional Nanomaterial Research Laboratory directed by Dr. Jennifer Lu, is looking for a highly motivated and qualified postdoctoral scholar to create enabling 3D hierarchical porous carbon-based platforms for energy storage and conversion and assist in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students working on relevant projects.

The appointee is expected to stay abreast of current developments and opportunities in the field of electrocatalysis and electrochemical energy storage, develop and execute research ideas and write research papers. Highly self-motivated individuals who have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent scientific research successfully and have accredited mentoring and leadership skills are highly desirable. The appointment will initially be 12 months with a high possibility for an extension of up to 12 additional months.

Dr. Jennifer Lu will specifically work with this position to:
 Develop and implement an Individual Development Plan to help the postdoc identify long and short-term career options and goals.
 Deliver a talk at local and National conference seminar forums and have the opportunity to network with other researchers in the field.
 Encourage the postdoc to attend workshops on proposal writing and help them to identify funding opportunities.
 Encourage the postdoc to participate in seminars and workshops on teaching and learning, and provide occasional opportunities to present lectures in undergraduate classes.
 Pursue opportunities to network with collaborators on the present proposal at National Laboratories such as LANL, LBL and SLAC, as well as, visiting scholars and seminar speakers at UCM and NASA Research Center of which the PI is the director.
 Travel to at least one conference each year, with the goal that the post-doctoral fellow present a research paper at the conference and have the opportunity to network with other researchers in the field.

Applicants must have obtained a PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or a related field prior to starting the position.
The successful candidate should have:
 Advanced understanding of electrochemistry and spectroscopic as well as microscopic material characterization methods to establish structure – property relationship;
 Extensive experience in nanomaterial synthesis in particular nanocarbon synthesis;
 Strong laboratory managerial and report/paper preparation skills. A good track record in direct supervision of undergraduate and graduate students is a plus.

Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of three references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address.

Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales. Review of applications will begin immediately. Position is open until filled with a final closing date June 30, 2018. Starting dates are negotiable.

The University of California, Merced is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, students and staff. The University is supportive of dual career couples.

Please contact Jennifer Lu at jennifer.lu@ucmerced.edu for additional information.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Job location

Merced, CA