St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
Posted: 12-Jun-25
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: JR89054
Position Summary
The Zheng Lab in the Department of Chemistry at WashU in St. Louis is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate, with availability starting in August 2025.The candidate will engage in the high-throughput synthesis, characterization, and analysis of porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for energy and sustainability applications. This project integrates robotic automation, microwave synthesis, solvothermal synthesis, organic synthesis of linkers, crystallization, and detailed material characterization.
Lab members will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers in Chemistry, Materials Science, Data Science, and Chemical Engineering. We prioritize career and professional development for postdoctoral researchers. In addition to one-on-one mentorship, further resources and support are available through the Center for Career Engagement, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and Center for Teaching and Learning.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.
Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):
- Develop synthesis procedures for the formation of porous materials and their organic linkers.
- Characterize structure and physical properties of materials and determine structure-property relationships with x-ray diffraction and gas sorption analysis.
- Contribute to the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students in the lab, modeling ethical and safe research practices.
- Publish peer-reviewed journal articles and present work at conferences.
Working Conditions:
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment.
Salary Range:
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
Applicant Special Instructions:
Applicants should send a CV and contact information for three references to Zach Zheng at z.z@wustl.edu. A brief statement of research interests is encouraged but not required.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.Required Qualifications
Education:
Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Skills:
Driver's License:
More About This Job
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidates with strong proficiency in collecting and interpreting wet-lab synthesis data are encouraged to apply and will have opportunities to explore machine learning-guided approaches in chemistry.
In addition to excellent research skills, we are seeking an applicant who prioritizes providing proactive mentorship to students, honing communication skills, and working in an interdisciplinary environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Skills:
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.