Research Associate in Chemical Engineering
- Employer
- University of Virginia
- Location
- Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
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- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Two postdoctoral positions in heterogeneous catalysis are available starting as early as January 2, 2027, under the direction of Professors Ayman Karim and Bill Epling in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
There are two projects available for the selected candidates.:
Selective bond activation on supported metal single atoms and subnanometer clusters. The work is focused on building structure activity relations through controlled catalyst synthesis, kinetic measurements and characterization using multiple in-situ techniques including calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS). Improved product yields via dynamic reactor operation. The work is focused on how changing plug-flow catalytic reactor inlet conditions, such as pressure, temperature and feed composition, can tune a catalyst surface for improved rates, selectivities and longevity. This will involve reactor design, kinetic measurements and catalyst characterization to determine the underlying mechanistic reasons for the changes in catalytic behavior observed.
In addition to independent experimental studies, there will be opportunities to train and to mentor graduate students within the Karim and Epling groups.
Job Responsibilities:
- Develop catalyst synthesis methods.
- Using plug flow reactors for steady-state and dynamic operation.
- Characterize the catalysts using conventional and spectroscopic techniques (see required and desired qualifications above).
- Detailed kinetic measurements.
- Develop experimental protocols for calorimetry measurements of the catalysts.
- Maintain lab reactors and characterization instrumentation.
- To produce manuscripts to disseminate performed research.
- To attend, contribute and present in National and International Meetings.
- To provide guidance to students in the research group.
- To assist in developing new research directions and in writing proposals.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering or related field is required by the start date.
- Extensive experience in heterogeneous catalysis including catalyst synthesis, kinetic measurements and catalyst characterization using infrared spectroscopy and other conventional techniques (e.g. XRD, BET measurements, gas chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction and oxidation).
- Strong track record of scientific productivity and publications.
- Experience managing more than 1 project simultaneously.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with others.
Desired Qualifications:
1. Experience working with a glovebox.
2. Experience working with lab-scale reactors at elevated temperatures and pressures.
3. Experience with calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy.
4. Experience with XAFS measurements and data analysis.
5. Experience with mass spectrometry and infra-red spectroscopy for gas-phase concentration measurements.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply at https://jobs.virginia.edu/us and search for R0086627. Attach a cover letter indicating research interests, a detailed curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references. Please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the CV box. Make sure to upload all the documents to complete your application.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.
This is a one-year appointment that may be renewed for up to two additional one-year terms, contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.
For questions regarding this position, please contact Professor Ayman Karim at pqg9zx@virginia.edu.
For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@Virginia.edu.
For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
Organization
In 1819, the University of Virginia established a new model for intellectual exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration in higher education. Two hundred years later, as a major research institution, we continue to challenge conventions, lead with ingenuity and advance knowledge for the common good.
What began as an innovative idea has become one of the nation’s leading public research universities, with over 21,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UVA also has over 3,000 full-time faculty offering more than 400 degrees.
Each of the University’s eleven schools has its own distinctive mission, working together to garner consistently high rankings—including #2 Best Value Public College (Princeton Review, 2016), #3 Public University in the Nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2016), and #3 Best Value Among Public Colleges (Kiplinger’s, 2016).
As we invest in and strengthen our research capabilities, UVA seeks new faculty ready to uncover new insights, rewrite old rules and collaborate on intellectual discoveries.
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS THAT CROSS DISCIPLINES
As an R1 institution, the University’s research centers, consortia and laboratories are on the leading edge of discovery and technology, offering collaborative spaces for students and faculty to solve global problems.
Our professors are recognized members of major national scholarly and professional organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Our faculty’s engagement in interdisciplinary research is being facilitated by new research institutes specializing in everything from big data to brain functioning, and by cluster hires across schools.
NATIONALLY RANKED HEALTH SYSTEM
UVA is also home to a nationally renowned academic medical center and the UVA Health System, which serves a three-part mission to treat patients, conduct translational research and train medical practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines.
Established as the nation’s 10th medical school in 1825, the institution has since grown to include a 612-bed hospital and a Level I trauma center, nationally recognized cancer and heart centers, a Children’s Hospital, and primary and specialty clinics throughout Central Virginia.
The UVA Medical Center is consistently ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report magazine and has been named among the top 25 percent in seven specialties.
INSPIRING STUDENTS, INSPIRED TEACHING
The vast majority of UVA students come from the top 10% of their high school class, as well as from all 50 states, over 142 countries and a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite their diversity, all UVA students share a love of learning and a drive to achieve.
One of the reasons students choose Virginia is our unique residential culture. At UVA, the community of students, faculty and staff personifies the Jeffersonian idea that living and learning are connected. The Academical Village was constructed to support a unique residential experience, with faculty living in the Pavilions, students occupying Lawn rooms and the world-famous Rotunda at its heart. The University’s residential culture continues to support this experience today—strengthened by students, faculty and staff rich in backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. Our unique culture is also paying dividends in innovation: UVA’s faculty have generated more than 130 patents since 2010.
Perhaps most importantly, faculty come to UVA knowing that instruction is as important as research, and they pride themselves on their many teaching awards. Our best professors look for ways to encourage, mentor and develop tomorrow’s leaders inside and outside the classroom.
LIFE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Living in Charlottesville you’ll find sophisticated restaurants, world-renowned wineries and breweries, cosmopolitan arts and music, friendly urban and suburban neighborhoods and a Piedmont landscape that has lured adventurous souls for centuries. No wonder the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research named Charlottesville the “happiest city in America” in 2014.
In addition to UVA and its health system, several major employers have facilities in Charlottesville, including State Farm, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Department of Defense, GE and others. Charlottesville is also becoming a center for innovative start-up businesses. The University also actively helps spouses and partners of faculty members build their networks and pursue employment opportunities with a wide variety of area employers.
The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
- Telephone
- 434-985-4532
- Location
-
2420 Old Ivy
Charlottesvle
Virginia
22911-7433
United States
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