Postdoctoral Associate

About the role

The Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position in the area of heterogeneous catalysis and operando materials characterization. The successful candidate will contribute to an externally funded research program focused on understanding structure-performance relationships in molybdenum-based zeolite catalysts for methane dehydroaromatization.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to an externally funded research program focused on understanding structure-performance relationships in molybdenum-based zeolite catalysts for methane dehydroaromatization.
• Play a central role in the processing, analysis, and interpretation of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) data collected on metal-modified zeolite catalysts under relevant reaction and regeneration environments.
• Experience using XAS analysis software such as Athena, Artemis, Larch, or equivalent platforms.
• Conduct independent research, as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or prior research experience.
• Interpret complex experimental datasets, as demonstrated through prior research projects, publications, or presentations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field. The Ph.D. must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment, with a minimum of one year of postdoctoral eligibility remaining.
• Experience in X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XANES/EXAFS), including data processing and spectral fitting.
• Experience using XAS analysis software such as Athena, Artemis, Larch, or equivalent platforms.
• Record of conducting independent research, as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or prior research experience.
• Evidence of scientific communication through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, conference presentations, or related scholarly activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience analyzing, modeling, and interpreting complex experimental datasets, as demonstrated through prior research projects, publications, or presentations.
• Experience with spectroscopy, scattering, or other materials characterization techniques.
• Familiarity with scripting or computational tools for data processing, such as Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
• Prior involvement in data-driven research projects in heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, or related fields.
• Demonstrated adaptability to interdisciplinary research, as shown by collaborative projects, joint publications, or work in diverse scientific environments.

Benefits

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

Additional Information

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

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.