Postdoctoral Researcher

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher.

Position Details LocationHattiesburg

118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States DivisionOnboarding - New Hire Transition Position TypeStaff Employment StatusFull Time Grant FundedYes Posting Close DateOpen Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants Applicants should send their CV together with a cover letter explaining his/her interest in the position and at least two reference letters to: Dr. Xiaodan Gu (xiaodan.gu@usm.edu)

Job Summary
Support ongoing polymers morphology characterization for energy-related research projects in organic electronics, polymer science and engineering. The position will require the postdocs to interact with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to promote collaborative projects. The post-doc will coordinate research activities, research personnel, laboratory activities, communications with research sponsors, data analysis, and written and oral dissemination of research results.Aids professors to manage research activities and reporting to funding organizations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Characterize the structure and dynamic conjugated polymers using neutrons and X-ray technique. Train and supervise graduate student researchers. Aid in managing graduate student research activities in the group to discuss their progress and their research effort for major sponsored projects. Helps each person set priorities for their current work and the future of their work and provides technical information, support, and direction. Prepare publications, proposals, documents, and reports. Travel to user facilities, national labs, and visits to and from sponsors. Adheres to University and department policies, procedures, and regulations, performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Candidates should possess a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or closely related discipline with extensive materials characterization experience. The candidate should possess a strong background in scattering in polymeric materials in solution and solid state.Successful candidates will be knowledgeable in morphology characterization in polymeric materials using X-ray or Neutrons and has past experience to use scattering instrument. The candidate will be able to travel to the national laboratories to perform proposed experiments.
The candidate is expected to be self-motivated and capable of working collaboratively in a team environment with scientists and engineers representing a variety of different backgrounds, skills, and experience levels. The ability to think independently, work well with others, present unbiased evaluations of data and other information in technically complex situations, and technical writing and presentation skills for both scientific and non-scientific personnel are critical. A strong record of publication in peer-reviewed publications is required.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in one or more of the following experimental techniques would be strongly preferred: elastic neutron or X-ray scattering on polymeric materials in solution, interpreted the scattering results, conjugated electronics, device engineering. The candidate with knowledge on the molecular dynamics simulation to model scattering results is preferred, but not required.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, our students have collected three Truman Scholarships and 18 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. USM students also lead Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Our Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of only 36 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.