Senior Research Specialist - Dr. Singh ChE

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago is seeking a Senior Research Specialist to lead diagnostic studies of fuel cells and electrolyzers, directing synthesis and characterization of materials for catalysts and electrodes. You will apply AI-guided high-throughput methods and advanced X-ray techniques to drive materials discovery.

The role requires a PhD with a decade of nanomaterials research and electrochemical engineering expertise, a strong publication record, and excellent collaboration across

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Approximately ten years of extensive research experience in nanomaterials and electrochemical engineering.
• Experience with AI-guided discovery, high-throughput methods, and device-level electrochemistry.
• Strong publication record in electrocatalysis and related fields.

Responsibilities

• Catalyst Synthesis: develop novel catalysts guided by AI and ML.
• Catalyst Performance Evaluation: use aqueous electrochemical combinatorial techniques to identify promising catalysts.
• Device-Level Assessment: integrate catalysts into low-temperature fuel cells and electrolyzers; evaluate performance and durability.
• Hardware & Tool Development: create electrochemical cells and MEA testing hardware for in situ/operando studies.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects.

Skills

Catalyst synthesis

Electrochemical analysis

Device engineering

Teamwork & communication

X-ray techniques

High-throughput AI-guided methods

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Chemistry, or related

Tools

Materials Studio

Crystalmaker

Mercury

VESTA

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)

Job description

Senior Research Specialist - Dr. Singh ChE

Hiring Department: Chemical Engineering

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042804

Salary: The annual salary for this position is $55,000

Closing Date: October 8, 2026

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

This position involves diagnostic studies of fuel cells and electrolyzers using a variety of electrochemical techniques in both aqueous and membrane-electrode assembly environments.

This position will direct the synthesis and characterization of materials and electrodes for fuel cells and electrolyzers. To achieve this, the role involves utilizing high-throughput methods guided by AI and machine learning algorithms, alongside advanced synchrotron X-ray techniques (specifically X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption spectroscopy).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Catalyst Synthesis: Utilize your expertise in materials synthesis to develop novel catalysts guided by AI, agentic AI, and machine learning algorithms.
• Catalyst Performance Evaluation: Apply aqueous electrochemical combinatorial techniques to evaluate the performance of synthesized catalysts, identifying promising candidates for further development.
• Device-Level Assessment: Integrate promising catalysts into low-temperature fuel cells and electrolyzers, utilizing single-cell testing platforms to evaluate device-level performance and durability.
• Hardware & Tool Development: Develop electrochemical cells and MEA testing hardware for in situ and operando characterization during low- and high-current-density operations.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline from a leading international research university.
• Experience: Approximately ten (10) years of extensive research experience in nanomaterials and electrochemical engineering.

Preferred Qualifications

• Electrochemical Analysis: Extensive knowledge of aqueous electrochemical techniques, specifically electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis and Faradaic efficiency (FE) calculations for complex electrocatalytic reactions.
• Material Characterization: Deep knowledge of inorganic and nanomaterial synthesis, defect engineering, and vacancy characterization using XPS. Proficiency in crystal structure analysis using Rietveld refinement and structure construction software (e.g., Materials Studio, Crystalmaker, Mercury, VESTA).
• Device Engineering: Comprehensive knowledge of fabricating, testing, and determining the performance and durability of low-temperature fuel cells and electrolyzers at low- and high-current density. Experience in the development of electrochemistry cells and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) testing hardware for the in situ and operando characterization of fuel cell and water electrolysis catalysts and electrodes.
• Academic Excellence: An outstanding publication record in internationally recognized journals with a specific focus on electrocatalysis.
• Teamwork & Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to work effectively within collaborative, multi-institutional, and interdisciplinary research environments.
• Hands-on experience with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray scattering (SAXS & WAXS), and X-ray nano-CT characterization of materials is highly beneficial.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.