Postdoctoral Research Associate

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This postdoctoral position is a key component of Assistant Professor Aylin Aykanat’s independent research program in the Department of Chemistry, which centers on the development of functional materials for environmental and biomedical applications. Funded through Dr. Aykanat’s start-up package, the role is critical to establishing the lab’s research capacity and fostering a collaborative, mentoring-focused environment for undergraduate and graduate students.

The postdoctoral researcher will lead high-level investigations into redox-active disulfide-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination networks, with a particular focus on temperature- and redox-responsive polymorphism. This work involves advanced solvothermal synthesis, structural and spectroscopic analysis, and computational modeling of framework stability and transformations. The position requires a high degree of expertise in synthetic inorganic or materials chemistry and proficiency with structural characterization techniques, as well as experience in mentoring and scientific communication.

Duties/Responsibilities

Research and Experimental Design – 50%

• Leads the synthesis, structural characterization, and spectroscopic analysis of redox-active disulfide-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination networks.

• Designs and conducts experiments to investigate temperature- and redox-driven polymorphism using solvothermal techniques, PXRD, thermal analysis, and advanced spectroscopy.

Computational Modeling and Data Analysis – 20%

• Develops and applies computational models to explore phase stability, ligand conformations, and metal–ligand coordination across structural phases.

• Interprets and integrates computational and experimental data to guide and refine synthesis strategies.

Manuscript Preparation and Scientific Communication – 15%

• Prepares research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.

• Assists with grant writing and reporting as needed to support the research program’s visibility and funding efforts.

Mentoring and Lab Development – 15%

• Provides guidance and mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students involved in laboratory research.

• Contributes to the development of a collaborative, inclusive lab culture and assists in establishing protocols and best practices for a growing research group.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field, with expertise in synthetic inorganic or materials chemistry, a strong publication record, and proficiency in structural and spectroscopic techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with computational modeling and mentoring students is also preferred.

Applicant instructions:

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Research Statement

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Location:

Durham

Salary Grade:

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