Research Positions at Northwestern University
- Post-Doctoral fellowship in Computational Discovery for Energy Materials and Semiconductors
- Post-Doctoral fellowship in multi-junction perovskite solar cells
- Research Associate and Experimental R&D Specialist – with a Research Focus on CO2 Capture and CO2 Upgrade
Post-Doctoral fellowship in Computational Discovery for Energy Materials and Semiconductors
Prof. Edward H. Sargent is seeking talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to join our team and contribute to the discovery of new energy materials and next-generation semiconductors for optoelectronics and microelectronics. The successful candidate will have a strong background in computational methods, particularly Density Functional Theory (DFT), Molecular Dynamics (MD), Machine Learning (ML) and be able to lead their own research while collaborating with other team members.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct cutting-edge research in computational methods for the design and discovery of energy materials and semiconductors.
- Design and carry out independent computational simulations to explore the electronic, optical, and transport properties of energy materials.
- Collaborate with experimental researchers to guide the design and synthesis of new materials based on computational predictions.
- Mentor and supervise graduate students and research assistants working on related projects.
- Contribute to grant writing and actively seek external funding opportunities to support ongoing research efforts.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field.
- Strong background in computational materials science with expertise in DFT, MD and ML techniques.
- Demonstrated experience in simulating the properties of energy materials or semiconductors.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment
Salary: $57,000 USD/year
Expected Start Date: Mar 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter
Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal
How to apply:
Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted; your two most relevant publications. Please send as a single combined PDF whose file name includes your first and last names to Melissa Rosen (melissa.rosen@northwestern.edu) with the subject line “Sargent Opto AI PDF” by May 31, 2024. Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled.
Posting Date: Jan 31, 2024
Closing Date: May 31, 2024
Post-Doctoral fellowship in multi-junction perovskite solar cells
Prof. Edward H. Sargent is seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Fellows to join our research team in synthesizing key functional materials, developing device prototypes, and characterizing next-generation multi-junction solar cells. Our specific programs include the development of efficient and stable wide bandgap (>1.6 eV) and narrow bandgap (<1.3 eV) perovskite solar cells. The successful candidates will have a strong background in materials science, chemistry, or a related field, with experience in synthesizing and characterizing novel materials for optoelectronic applications.
Responsibilities:
- Design and optimize synthetic routes for fabricating high-quality perovskite materials, utilizing various synthesis techniques including solution-based methods, vapor deposition, and other relevant techniques.
- Prototype solar cell devices and conduct electrical and photophysical characterizations
- Mentor and supervise graduate students and research assistants working on related projects.
- Contribute to grant writing and actively seek external funding opportunities to support ongoing research efforts.
Qualifications:
- D. in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related field
- Strong background and expertise in materials synthesis and characterization techniques
- Familiarity with tandem and triple-junction devices and relevant device physics
- Experience with reliability and accelerated testing
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment
Salary: $57,000 USD/year
Expected Start Date: Mar 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter
Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal
How to apply:
Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted; your two most relevant publications. Please send as a single combined PDF whose file name includes your first and last names to Melissa Rosen (melissa.rosen@northwestern.edu) with the subject line “Sargent multi-junction PDF” by May 31, 2024. Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled.
Posting Date: Jan. 31, 2024
Closing Date: May. 31, 2024
Research Associate and Experimental R&D Specialist – with a Research Focus on CO2 Capture and CO2 Upgrade
Job Summary:
The Sargent group at Northwestern University is seeking a Research Associate and Experimental R&D Specialist.
Our focus includes (1) CO2 capture and electrified upgrade to chemicals, materials, and fuels; (2) Electrified transformations on hydrocarbons; (3) the oxygen evolution reaction [refs. 1,2,3 below].
Description of Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of this position include operating, managing, and troubleshooting key equipment; training users in its safe and effective use; and contributing to experimental setup design and construction, data collection and analysis, and results interpretation. The findings thus made will then appear in manuscripts, scholarly presentations, and partner discussions. The incumbent will work effectively in a team environment and will reach across disciplines, working with partners in academia, industry, and at U.S. Department of Energy labs. The work effort will lead to publications in interdisciplinary academic journals.
Technical:
- Equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting; training and data collection.
- Management of compressed gas cylinders: including purchase, custom tubing, and safety regulation.
- Establishment of in-house experimental setups.
- Drafting and updating of equipment standard operating procedures.
- Use of advanced electrical, electrochemical, thermochemical, mechanical, and optical knowledge in enabling research.
- Collaboration
- Participating in strategy-setting for the future directions and needs of the group;
- Contributing to manuscript development and revisions in response to peer reviews;
- Engaging with the community and with sponsors.
- Administration
- Maintaining laboratory supplies and materials inventory;
- Maintaining chemical inventory and ensuring proper use and storage;
- Working with the team on equipment modifications, and planning and placing orders for components, accessories, and vendor services;
- Leading on equipment purchases, including quote acquisition and leading discussions with vendors.
- Implementing lab safety best practices and contributing to a safe work environment.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
- PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering (including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering), or a related field.
Minimum Competencies (skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
- Excellent hands-on experimental lab expertise
- Experimental design
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work as part of a project team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least two years of post-PhD research experience in catalysis, electrocatalytic systems, or related fields of materials science, chemical engineering, or environmental engineering.
- Prior success in research grant applications and/or corporate partnerships development.
Salary: $78,000 USD/year
Expected Start date: May 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter
Appointment: Term-(12 months) with the potential for renewal
How to apply:
Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full CV; and information on 2 referees that are prepared to be consulted. Please send as a single combined PDF whose file name includes your first and last names to Melissa Rosen (melissa.rosen@northwestern.edu) with the subject line “Research Associate and R&D Specialist in Co2/Catalysis” by Apr 1, 2024. Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled.
References:
- Electrochemical upgrade of CO2 from amine capture solution, G. Lee, Y. C. Li, J. Kim, T. Peng, D. Nam, A. S. Rasouli, F. Li, M. Luo, A. H. Ip, Y. Joo, E. H. Sargent*, Nature Energy, DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-00735-z
- Selective synthesis of butane from carbon monoxide using cascade electrolysis and thermocatalysis at ambient conditions, M. G. Lee, X. Li, A. Ozden, J. Wicks, P. Ou, Y. Li, R. Dorakhan, J. Lee, H. K. Park, J. W. Yang, B. Chen, J. Abed, R. dos Reis, G. Lee, J. E. Huang, T. Peng, Y. (C.) Chin, D. Sinton, E. H. Sargent*, Nature Catalysis, DOI: 10.1038/s41929-023-00937-0
- Constrained C2 adsorbate orientation enables CO-to-acetate electroreduction, J. Jin, Joshua Wicks, Qiuhong Min, Jun Li… et al. Liqiang Mai*, Edward H. Sargent*, Yuanjie Pang*, Nature, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05918-8 (in press)
