Job Description

This position is in the research group of Associate Professor Caroline Saouma in the Department of Chemistry. The position will focus on advancing homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts, with emphasis on application for future energy schemes. The researcher in this position will have discretion and freedom to pursue research goals with routine consultation, but limited supervision, so long as they fall within the boundaries of our funding source.
This appointee will perform all aspects of research and development in the area of assignment; will plan, propose, and conduct agreed upon research projects requiring independent evaluation, selection, and use or adaptation/modification of standard techniques and procedures; will devise new approaches to problems, will plan, conduct and report on their work; will perform conventional and complex techniques; and will apply nontraditional approaches and higher levels of problem solving for research.

Specific technical duties will include:
1) Ligand and catalyst synthesis, which will require the use of air-free techniques;
2) Characterization of complexes/catalysts using spectroscopic and diffraction techniques;
3) Mechanistic studies, which may entail thermochemical analysis or kinetics;
4) Catalyst screening on our high-pressure system, which will include product analysis by chromatographic means.

Additional duties will include:
1) Routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, including but not limited to gloveboxes, rotovaps, GCs, high-pressure systems, and spectrometers (IR, UV-vis).
2) Following all safety protocols and writing new safety operating procedures.
3) Help mentor others in the group, either directly or indirectly.
4) Contributing to the collegial and collaborative culture within the Saouma group and Department of Chemistry.

Required Qualifications

* Recent PhD in inorganic or organometallic chemistry.
* Experience in inorganic synthesis (including air-free techniques) and characterization (NMR, IR, UV-vis spectroscopy; XRD; cyclic voltammetry).
* Strong work habits and the ability to work independently as well as with a research group.
* Strong oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel in the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

* First author research publications.
* Presentations at conferences and/or other instances of communicating research work.
* Evidence of intellectual contribution to projects.
* Evidence of creativity, independence, and high motivation.
* Use of DFT to predict properties of organometallic complexes.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel in the organization.

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

1/15/24

Additional Information

Applicants should submit the following requested documents in order to be considered for the position:

1. C.V.
2. A 1-2 page research summary
3. A Cover letter, which should include:
   • Why you are interested in this position
   • What skills/resources you can bring to the group
   • Your long-term career goals, and how joining the group can help you achieve your goals
   • An example of one (or more) of the following:
     • How you work well in a team, particularly under difficult conditions
     • Your problem-solving skills, as they pertain to you finding a solution to a challenging problem in your research
     • How you overcame a hardship (academic, career, or otherwise)
4. A list of three academic references, which includes their name and contact information (with professional email addresses)

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

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