Post-Doctoral Associate in Chemistry

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Wellness programs

Transit passes (CU)

Professional development

Retirement and healthcare support

Job summary

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Yu Group is seeking a postdoctoral associate to design and develop new catalysts, test reactions, optimize conditions to improve yields, and explore substrate scope while investigating reaction mechanisms.

Responsibilities include writing manuscripts, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and collaborating with group members and external partners. This is a full-time, in-person research position at CU Boulder.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry or a closely related field completed by start date.
• Hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, or related areas including reaction development, synthesis, purification, and characterization.
• Record of original research contributions demonstrated through publications, a dissertation, or other outputs.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct original research in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis, emphasizing new catalysis, new reaction development, and selective bond activation and functionalization.
• Develop and synthesize catalysts and substrates; optimize reaction conditions; evaluate substrate scope; investigate reaction mechanisms through designed experiments.
• Analyze and interpret results, maintain accurate records, and prepare manuscripts, supporting information, and presentations.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and safe practices.
• Contribute to group discussions and collaborations, help maintain equipment, and follow safety procedures.

Skills

Catalysis development

Reaction optimization

Substrate scope analysis

Experimental design

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Job description

Job Summary

The postdoctoral associate will be responsible for designing and developing new catalysts, testing new reactions, optimizing conditions to improve yields, exploring substrate scope, and investigating reaction mechanisms. Additional responsibilities include writing manuscripts, mentoring junior graduate and undergraduate students, and collaborating both within the group and with external partners.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder is proud to be a vibrant, research-driven department dedicated to exploring the fundamental nature of matter and energy. Our faculty, students, and staff are engaged in groundbreaking work across a wide range of fields—from analytical, organic, and physical chemistry to materials and nanoscience. Nationally recognized and consistently ranked among the top programs in the country, our department is home to award-winning researchers, innovative educators, and a collaborative spirit that drives discovery. To learn more about our department and our team please visit our website: https://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Design and conduct original research in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis, with an emphasis on new catalysis, new reaction development, and selective bond activation and functionalization.
• Develop and synthesize catalysts and substrates; optimize reaction conditions; evaluate substrate scope; and investigate reaction mechanisms through carefully designed experiments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results, maintain accurate and reproducible research records, and prepare manuscripts, supporting information, and research presentations.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and safe laboratory practices.
• Contribute to group discussions and collaborative projects, help maintain laboratory equipment, and follow laboratory safety procedures.

What You Should Know

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), in-person research position in the Yu Group at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Experimental schedules and any conference or collaborator travel will be coordinated with the supervisor according to project needs.

The successful candidate will complete applicable laboratory safety training and follow university and group procedures for handling chemicals and operating laboratory equipment.

What We Can Offer

• Salary: $52,416 annually
• Beyond the pay, CU Boulder employees enjoy robust perks including tuition benefits, wellness programs, free transit passes, professional development, and generous retirement and healthcare support.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A Ph.D. in chemistry or a closely related field, completed by the appointment start date.
• Research experience in synthetic organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, or a related area, including hands-on experience in reaction development, chemical synthesis, purification, and compound characterization.
• A record of original research contributions demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, a doctoral dissertation, or other substantive research outputs.

What You Will Need

• Strong motivation to pursue challenging scientific questions, take ownership of research projects, and develop new ideas.
• The ability to work independently, design informative experiments, troubleshoot unsuccessful reactions, and adapt research plans based on evidence.
• Strong organizational skills, careful documentation, and a commitment to research integrity, reproducibility, and laboratory safety.
• Effective scientific writing and oral communication skills, together with the ability to collaborate constructively and mentor junior researchers.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience in at least one area relevant to the group: main-group chemistry, organometallic catalysis, photochemistry, electrochemistry, C-H functionalization, or C-C bond activation.
• Experience using mechanistic experiments to guide the development or improvement of synthetic reactions.
• Evidence of substantial intellectual and experimental contributions to research projects, such as first-author publications or clearly documented project leadership.