Kansas State University Chemistry Department

Postdoctoral Research Positions

Prof. Hollingsworth's Group - Organic Chemistry

TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Two postdoctoral positions are available immediately for studies of ferroelastic and ferroelectric domain switching, crystal growth, crystallography, and molecular recognition phenomena in organic inclusion compounds and related materials.
- One position requires a strong background in SOLID-STATE NMR spectroscopy; the researcher would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of a 300 MHz NMR instrument dedicated to solid-state experiments such as MAS NMR, 2H NMR, and single crystal NMR. The ideal applicant would have extensive experience in a variety of solid-state NMR experiments as well as experience with construction and maintenance of NMR equipment. Experience and interest in organic synthesis of labeled compounds would also be very helpful.
- The second position requires a strong background in SOLID-STATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; the project will focus on cooperative phenomena and domain switching in ferroelastic and ferroelectric materials. The ideal applicant would have extensive experience in the area of crystallography, crystal growth and organic synthesis, or some combination thereof. Specific expertise with crystallography of unconventional materials (including disordered, incommensurate or modulated crystals) and with unconventional crystallographic experiments (including X-ray topography and in situ experiments with stresses or fields) is preferred, as is experience with spectroscopy or microscopy of crystalline materials.

In each case, the successful applicant will be exposed to a wide variety of techniques in the area of solid-state organic chemistry. Duration of each position would be for one year with the possibility of extension to two years. Salary will be commensurate with experience and background. Along with a cover letter that specifies the position or positions for which you are applying, send CV and the names and addresses of three references to Prof. Mark D. Hollingsworth, Chemistry Dept., 213 CBC Building, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0401; ph.: 785-532-2727, fax: 785-532-6666, e-mail: mdholl@ksu.edu.

Review of applications will commence August 1, but the search will be extended until suitable applicants are found. In accordance with Kansas Board of Regents policy, a background check is required.

Prof. Jankowiak's Group - Physical Chemistry

A postdoctoral position is available for work in the area of photosynthesis research. We use spectral hole-burning (SHB) and single photosynthetic complex spectroscopy (SPCS) to study the excitonic structure and excitation energy transfer (EET) processes of several natural and artificial photosynthetic complexes at low temperatures. The combination of SHB on bulk samples and SPCS is a powerful frequency domain approach for obtaining data that will address a number of issues that are key to understanding excitonic structure and energy/electron transfer dynamics. The long-term goal is to reach a better understanding of the ultrafast solar energy driven primary events of photosynthesis as they occur in higher plants, cyanobacteria, purple bacteria, and green algae and initiate studies to integrate various photosynthetic complexes with molecular electronics. A better understanding of the EET and charge separation (CS) processes taking place in photosynthetic complexes is of great interest, since photosynthetic complexes might offer attractive architectures for a future generation of circuitry in which proteins are organized by a macromolecular scaffold. Candidates must have experience in low temperature laser-based spectroscopies and a strong background in the area of physical/biophysical chemistry. We are seeking candidates who are self-motivated and career-oriented. Applicants should arrange for a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation to be sent to Professor Ryszard Jankowiak, Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502; Voice: (785) 532-6785; E-mail: ryszard@ksu.edu

Screening of applications will begin on June 1, 2009 and continue until the position is filled.

Prof. Hua's Group - Organic Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry invites applications for a research associate position. The successful applicant must have a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry with experience in organic synthesis and some experience in biology. This research associate would carry out laboratory research in the design and synthesis of bioactive molecules and nanoparticles for drug delivery, bioevaluation, and binding studies of proteins with small molecules. Applicants should submit a resume and three letters of reference to University Distinguished Professor Duy H. Hua, Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, 213 CBC Building, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506. Screening will commence on May 1, 2009 and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Details of the department can be found at http://www.ksu.edu/chem.

Kansas State University is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees.