Postdoctoral Researcher

Middlebury College invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. This is a full-time, one-year position with the option for a one-year renewal assuming ongoing grant support from US Dept. of Energy.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for conducting independent research focusing on the synthesis and photophysical characterization of semiconductor nanocrystals, commonly referred to as quantum dots. Candidates should possess a PhD in chemistry, physics, materials science, or a related field, along with experience in nanocrystal or nanoparticle synthesis.

This project is based in the Cotts Lab at Middlebury College with theoretical simulation support from the Ma group at the University of Vermont. The Postdoctoral Researcher will carry out nanoparticle synthesis and prepare samples for characterization within the Cotts Lab, utilizing techniques including time-resolved photoluminescence, absolute quantum yield, and atomic force microscopy. Additionally, the Researcher will participate in experiments at various national user facilities, such as the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, to investigate transient disorder in these nanocrystals using time-resolved structural methods such as time-resolved X-ray Diffraction (tr-XRD).

Applicants should submit a CV (including a list of publications) and contact information for three references. 

In addition to research duties, the Postdoctoral Researcher will be expected to provide training and mentorship to undergraduate students in the Cotts Lab. This aspect of the role is considered a professional development opportunity, and the Researcher is expected to actively contribute to fostering a diverse workforce and supporting the College's initiatives aimed at creating a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

This is a full time, benefits eligible, salaried position with a hiring range of $47,675-59,604 per year. It is a one year term position.

Core Responsibilities:

• Carry out physical chemistry research projects in the Cotts Research Laboratory
• Synthesize and characterize semiconductor nanocrystal materials 
• Read scientific literature and help develop new research directions
• Analyze data and produce high quality figures summarizing work
• Train undergraduate students in proper laboratory techniques
• Train undergraduate students in data analysis
• Maintain laboratory inventory and assist in ordering supplies

Middlebury College is an equal-opportunity employer where diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. To this end, the College recruits talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Middlebury College encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically underrepresented communities. The College also invites applications from individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Requirements

Required:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field
• Demonstrated interest and skills in carrying out independent research
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively, and the desire to train and support undergraduate students new to research
• Experience with air-free techniques and Schlenk line operation
• Experience with colloidal nanomaterial synthesis
• Experience with standard analytical techniques: UV-Vis, Fluorescence, FTIR, NMR, Mass spec
• Experience with data analysis using programming (Matlab, python, R, mathematica, etc)
• Experience working with or demonstrated commitment to working with a diverse community

Preferred:

• Experience with colloidal quantum dot synthesis
• Experience with ultrafast optical spectroscopy including transient absorption and time-resolved fluorescence
• Experience with X-ray scattering measurements

Other:

Offer is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Benefits

As an employee of Middlebury College, you will enjoy being part of a vibrant supportive community. Middlebury Colleges offers its employees excellent compensation and competitive health, dental, life, disability, generous retirement matching, and vision benefits, Middlebury offers a generous time-away program - up to 34 days per year during the first two years of service, increasing as the term of service lengthens. Middlebury employees are eligible for robust educational assistance programs as well as free or reduced rates for cultural events and use of sporting facilities (including the College's golf course and Nordic and alpine ski area). The result is a very high quality-of-life in a gorgeous setting. Middlebury Colleges offers its employees excellent compensation and other perks of employment including:

• MiddCard Privileges: access to athletic facilities, discounts at the College store, library privileges, and discounts at cultural and sporting events. In addition, the card allows door access to certain campus buildings. Spouses or domestic partners of benefits-eligible employees are eligible to receive a Spouse/Partner card with the same privileges as the employee card (except door access).
• Discounts on season passes at Middlebury College Snow Bowl, the Ralph Myhre Golf Course and the Rikert Outdoor Center.
• Access to our Partner Inclusion Program that provides comprehensive support services to the spouses and partners of Middlebury employees.
• A full listing of our benefit offerings can be found on our website by following this web link: https://go.middlebury.edu/benefits
• Or click see some of the other fun perks of working at Middlebury, whether in Vermont or Monterey!