Postdoc: Catalysis & Porous Materials Research

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Onsite childcare (Ames, IA)

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Ames National Laboratory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on heterogeneous catalysis with emphasis on porous materials synthesis and characterization. The role focuses on mechanistic and kinetic studies at reactive interfaces and requires strong communication across teams.

The successful candidate will synthesize and evaluate catalytic materials, perform textural analyses, and disseminate results through peer-reviewed

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science engineering must be completed prior to start date.
• Demonstrated extensive experience synthesizing, modifying, and functionalizing porous materials (especially zeolites, oxide, and carbon-based materials) and single-site catalysts.
• Demonstrated extensive experience characterizing catalytic materials, including textural characterization, powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and other spectroscopic analyses.
• Demonstrated experience executing catalytic reactions with solid catalysts in batch and/or flow reactors and analyzing reaction products using tools such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, solution NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and UV/vis spectroscopy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on heterogeneous catalysis and investigate porous materials for catalytic transformations.
• Synthesize and characterize porous materials and single-site catalysts; perform textural analysis and spectroscopic studies.
• Collaborate with the catalysis team and other groups within and outside Ames Laboratory; disseminate research findings through peer‑reviewed journals and conferences.
• Support routine laboratory maintenance and maintain a safe research environment.

Skills

Porous materials synthesis

Catalytic materials characterization

Textural analysis

Powder X-ray diffraction

Electron microscopy

Gas chromatography

Spectroscopic analyses

Batch and flow reactor experiments

Education

Ph.D. in chemistry/chemical engineering/materials science engineering

Tools

Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD)

Electron microscopy

Gas chromatography

Liquid chromatography

NMR

IR/UV-Vis spectroscopy

Job description

Iowa State University’s Ames National Laboratory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on heterogeneous catalysis with emphasis on porous materials synthesis and characterization. The role focuses on mechanistic and kinetic studies at reactive interfaces and requires strong communication across teams.

The successful candidate will synthesize and evaluate catalytic materials, perform textural analyses, and disseminate results through peer-reviewed