Postdoctoral Fellow - Macrocycle Synthesis for Chloride Sequestration and Sensing

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 41,400 - 50,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow focusing on Macrocycle Synthesis for chloride sequestration and sensing at Indiana University, Bloomington. The position involves organic synthesis, designing novel receptors, and engaging in collaborative research.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in chemistry and experience in organic synthesis. This role offers a competitive salary of $46,000/year with the potential for extensions based on performance.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry at the time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Organic synthesis of chloride-binding macrocycles.
• Design and synthesize new chloride-binding macrocycles.
• Prepare polymer-based materials and characterize chloride extraction.
• Proof-of-concept testing of turn-on fluorescent sensor for chloride.
• Engage with industry and engineering collaborators.
• Publish findings in scientific papers.

Skills

Multi-step organic synthesis

Familiarity with supramolecular chemistry

Physical organic chemistry approaches

Education

Ph.D. in chemistry

Job description

Posting Details

Position Details

Title

Postdoctoral Fellow - Macrocycle Synthesis for ChlorideSequestration and Sensing

Appointment Status

Non-Tenure Track

Department

IU Bloomington Chemistry

Location

Bloomington

Position Summary

The Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts + Sciences atIndiana University, consists of a well-rounded research communitywith cutting-edge expertise in a wide variety of modern disciplinesincluding analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, andbiochemistry.

Job Summary

This postdoctoral scholar position will explore innovativeapproaches to sequester and sense chloride by designing and synthesizing anion receptors for use in polymer materials and coatings. Critical activities involve the synthesis of novelreceptors.

The intensive and extensive use of water in modern society placesincreasing demands on water supplies. This situation negativelyimpacts fresh water fit for human consumption and agriculturalusage as well as the need in industry. Sustainable practices thateither enable the removal of chloride from water or enable theperformance of industrial processes even in chloride-laden watersare needed. Traditional approaches use reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodialysis across membranes, ion exchange with resin beads, orsimple distillation. Despite advances in anion recognitionchemistry, none of them use these principles, e.g., RO membranesleverage polyamide films that act as a size filter. This projectseeks to take some of the first steps to leverage anion recognitionchemistry for chloride sequestration and sensing in polymermaterials.

This postdoctoral scholar position involves the synthesis of newand known chloride-binding macrocycles and proof-of-concept testingof their ability to extract and sense chloride when incorporatedinto polymer materials.

Responsibilities

1. Organic synthesis of chloride-binding macrocycles, modifystructures as needed to enable compatibility with polymermaterials.
2. Design and synthesize new chloride-binding macrocycles.
3. Prepare polymer-based materials and characterize chlorideextraction, and chloride capacity of polymer films.
4. Proof-of-concept testing of turn-on fluorescent sensor forchloride using polymer materials and coatings
5. Engage with industry and engineering collaborators.
6. Publish findings in scientific papers

Basic Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in chemistry at time of appointment

Preferred Qualifications

1. Multi-step organic synthesis
2. Familiarity with supramolecular chemistry or physical organicchemistry approaches is advantageous

Department Contact for Questions

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to: Prof. Amar Flood, Department of Chemistry, IndianaUniversity, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, [e-mail].

Salary and Rank

$46,000/year, Postdoctoral Fellow

Special Instructions

The initial appointment for this position will be for 12 months. Two additional 12-month extensions will be available based on performance. A competitive salary along with a benefits package will be offered.

Application Information

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/31832. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

For Best Consideration Date

02/09/2026

Expected Start Date

04/01/2026

Posting Number

IU-101455-2026