Postdoctoral Fellow - Harvey Lab

Indiana University Bloomington; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Mentoring opportunities

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow for the Harvey Lab at Indiana University. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or materials science by August 2026 and expertise in ultrafast optical spectroscopy.

The role involves setting up complex experimental setups, mentoring students, and engaging in innovative research projects. A competitive annual salary of $50,000 along with benefits is offered for an initial 12-month appointment with potential for extension.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required by August 2026.
• Experience with ultrafast optical setups.
• Leadership and mentorship experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set-up and maintenance of experimental setups.
• Manage academic research projects and publication.
• Mentor students and support lab culture.
• Stay updated on current research literature.

Skills

Ultrafast optical spectroscopy

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, or materials science/engineering

Tools

SpectraPhysics lasers

Ultrafast Systems Helios/EOS setups

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow – Harvey Lab

The Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts + Sciences at Indiana University is a highly collegial department with cutting‑edge expertise in a wide variety of modern disciplines including materials chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. The department has remarkable characterization facilities including multiple transmission electron microscopes (including a state‑of‑the‑art NeoArm JEOL), multiple powder and single crystal X‑ray diffractometers, NMR, EPR, and time‑resolved fluorescence among others.

The Harvey Lab at Indiana University focuses on the synthesis and spectroscopy of colloidal inorganic nanomaterials, particularly binary and ternary transition metal oxides, chalcogenides, and pnictides. Research topics range from developing new synthetic routes for unique nanocrystal compositions to in‑depth characterization of electronic, optical, magnetic, and thermal properties of nanomaterials. The Harvey Lab is seeking a post‑doctoral fellow with expertise in ultrafast spectroscopy. Ideal candidates will have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, or materials science/engineering by or before August 2026.

Applicants must have expertise in ultrafast optical spectroscopy including transient absorption and time‑resolved fluorescence, and must be comfortable modifying and building optical setups. Other ideal qualifications (though not required) include firsthand experience with (i) SpectraPhysics lasers, Ultrafast Systems Helios/EOS setups, and OPAs; (ii) magneto‑optical measurements such as magnetic circular dichroism; and/or (iii) nanocrystalline materials.

The Harvey Lab is a collaborative, multidisciplinary group with a wide range of research interests. Successful applicants will be joining a new group and will be vital in developing research directions and lab culture. Postdocs must be willing and excited to help mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Responsibilities

• Help in the set‑up, maintenance, and upkeep of the transient absorption and magnetic circular dichroism setups; serve as a super‑user on one of these instruments and train other group members; develop and write SOPs when necessary.
• Manage own academic research project(s); maintain good record‑keeping of experiments and data; write up results for publication in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Develop new research directions within the Harvey Lab through innovative project ideas.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students with their projects; be an active group member who supports others and brings new skills to the lab.
• Stay informed of current literature relevant to academic research projects.

Basic Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, or materials science/engineering at the time of appointment.
• Previous experience with ultrafast optical setups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership and mentorship experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strength in both generating and analyzing complex datasets.

Salary and Benefits

$50,000 per year for a Postdoctoral Fellow. A competitive salary along with a benefits package will be offered. The initial appointment will be for 12 months, with an additional 12‑month extension available based on performance.