The Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts + Sciences at Indiana University is a highly collegial department with cutting-edge expertise in a wide variety of modern disciplines including materials chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. The department has remarkable characterization facilities including multiple transmission electron microscopes including state-of-the-art NeoArm JEOL, multiple powder and single crystal X-ray diffractometers, NMR, EPR, and time-resolved fluorescence amongst others.

Job Summary:

The Harvey Lab at Indiana University focuses on the synthesis and spectroscopy of colloidal inorganic nanomaterials, particularly binary and ternary transition metal oxides, chalcogenides, and pnictides. Research topics range from developing new synthetic routes for unique nanocrystal compositions to in-depth characterization of electronic, optical, magnetic, and thermal properties of nanomaterials. The Harvey Lab is seeking a postdoctoral fellow with expertise in wet-chemical inorganic nanocrystal synthesis. Ideal candidates will have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science/engineering by or before May 2026. Successful candidates will have particular interest in both fundamental materials/inorganic/physical chemistry as well as applications including energy, spintronics, and quantum computing. The candidate must have expertise in the synthesis of colloidal inorganic nanocrystals: air-free synthesis and work-up (including Schlenk line and glovebox proficiency), powder X-ray diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Ideally the candidate will have some experience with NMR, ICP-OES/ICP-MS, and time-resolved photoluminescence.

The Harvey Lab is a collaborative, multidisciplinary group with a wide range of research interests. Successful applicants will be joining a new group and will be vital in developing research directions and lab culture. Postdocs must be willing and excited to help mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Responsibilities:

Manage own academic research project(s). Maintain good record keeping of experiments and data. Write up results for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Develop new research directions within the Harvey Lab through innovative project ideas.

Achieve research objectives by either developing new syntheses, characterizing novel materials, or setting up spectroscopic techniques.

Help in the set-up, maintenance, and upkeep of instrumentation/equipment. When necessary, develop and write SOPs.

Mentor undergraduate and graduate students with their projects. Teach other group members new skills.

Stay informed of current literature relevant to academic research projects.

Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science/engineering or physics at time of appointment. Previous experience with the synthesis of inorganic materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

Leadership and mentorship experience. Applicants should have strong communication skills. Strength in both material synthesis, characterization, and spectroscopy.

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to: Prof. Samantha Harvey, Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, samaharv@indiana.edu.