Post-Doctoral Fellow in Chemistry and Chemical Biology; Long Lab

Title Post-Doctoral Fellow in Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Long Lab)

School

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area

Department/Area Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Position Description

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Jeffrey Long Research Group, which focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced nanomaterials. The group maintains active collaborations with researchers in electrical and computer engineering, materials science, and physics, and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for materials synthesis, structural characterization, and optical measurements.
The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research on the design and synthesis of low-dimensional (two-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional) halide perovskite materials, including but not limited to nanowire growth, crystal engineering via supramolecular and hydrogen-bonding strategies, and the development of perovskite-based lasing and light-emitting devices. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Research: Designing and synthesizing novel organic spacer molecules and organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials; growing and characterizing single-crystal and thin-film perovskite nanomaterials; performing structural analysis using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), atomic force microscopy ( AFM ), and related techniques; conducting optical characterization including steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence, circular dichroism, and lasing measurements; and exploring new directions in chiroptical perovskites, perovskite nanophotonics, and related areas.
• Publishing: Preparing manuscripts for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and presenting research findings at national and international conferences such as ACS , MRS , AIChE, and Gordon Research Conferences.
• Collaboration: Working closely with the PI, graduate students, and external collaborators across disciplines including electrical engineering, photonics, and computational materials science. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to contribute to interdisciplinary projects and to help mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory.

Acceptable areas of study and expertise for applicants include chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, chemistry, physics, or a closely related field, with a research focus in halide perovskites, semiconductor nanomaterials, organic-inorganic hybrid materials, nanophotonics, or optoelectronic device fabrication.

The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to work on campus at Harvard University and to maintain a regular presence in the laboratory. Occasional travel for conferences, collaborative visits, and facility access at partner institutions may be required.

Basic Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field. The doctoral degree must be conferred by the start date of the appointment. Candidates must provide official documentation of degree conferment (e.g., official transcripts or a letter from the degree-granting institution) prior to or upon appointment.
• A demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic or hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials.

• Independent research experience in the synthesis and crystal growth of two-dimensional or layered halide perovskite materials (lead- or tin-based).
• Experience with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, crystal structure refinement (e.g., using Shelxle or similar software), and crystallographic analysis.
• Proficiency in advanced optical characterization techniques, including photoluminescence spectroscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence, confocal microscopy, and optically pumped lasing measurements.
• Experience with morphological and structural characterization tools such as SEM , AFM , and transmission electron microscopy ( TEM ).
• Familiarity with the design and synthesis of organic spacer molecules for hybrid perovskite systems, including molecules with tailored hydrogen-bonding or supramolecular functionalities.
• Experience in the fabrication and testing of optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs),…