Post Doctoral Associate

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Post Doctoral Associate Department Materials Science & Engineerg Salary Details Minimum $63,968 Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

* Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage

* Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs

* Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options

* Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)

* Life insurance coverage

* Employee discount programs

Posting Summary

A postdoctoral position is available for a candidate with expertise in applying solvothermal thermodynamics for heterogeneous systems for the synthesis of ternary nitrides. The candidate will develop a new process to reduce ceramic cations as the raw material. The candidate is also expected to be well-versed in powder processing, processing in low Po2 environments, chemical and physical powder characterization of ceramic and metallic materials, and surface analysis methods.

Key

Duties & Responsibilities

1) Metal nitride synthesis - 25%

2) Reaction product characterization- 25%

3) Set up, fix, and operate equipment- 20%

4) Writing journal papers and patents- 20%

5) Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students- 10%

Candidate must be able to design experiments to answer relevant scientific questions. Must demonstrate long-term planning skills to accomplish overall goals, recognize the technical barriers that need to be overcome, and formulate plans to mitigate risks of the chosen research directions. In addition, they are expected to make informed decisions when diagnosing problems and designing creative solutions. The candidate should be collaborative, a mentor who is very open in sharing ideas with group members, and helping them achieve their goals via collaboration.

The postdoctoral candidate is responsible for planning, executing, and promptly reporting high-quality research results. If the postdoctoral candidate is not successful in executing the overall goals, the project could be terminated by the funding source, namely, the Department of Energy. The project will be funded for three years if the candidate is able to complete the specific aims and overall goals of the project.

The postdoctoral candidate must initiate organizational and strategic planning and present it to the principal investigator.

Position Status Full Time Posting Number 26FA0706 Posting Open Date 08/10/2026 Posting Close Date 08/21/2026

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering or related fields.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ph.D. and B.S. one or more of the following majors: chemistry, geochemistry, materials science and engineering, metallurgy, ceramic science and engineering, and chemical engineering. Materials synthesis, inorganic chemistry, solid state and solvothermal thermochemistry, powder processing, materials characterization, nanomaterials.

Preferred Qualifications

Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, or Geochemistry.

Equipment Utilized

Solvothermal reactors, hydrothermal reactors, FTIR-DRIFTS, XPS, XRD, Rutherford back scattering, and ICP-OES

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Candidate must be physically fit to assemble heavy reactors and have an aptitude for assembling and disassembling reactors that operate under pressure, electronic circuits, and experience working safely with dangerous materials.

Overview Statement

Posting Details

Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link to Posting (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Busch (RU-New Brunswick) City Piscataway State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine…