Postdoctoral Associate - Chemistry

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Dr. Raul Hernandez Sanchez's Lab in the Department of Chemistry at Rice University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate inorganic cluster compounds for the activation of small molecules.

The Hernandez Sanchez Lab is developing ligand scaffolds as templates to create cluster compounds involving transition and rare earth metals. Our goal is to develop synthetic strategies to synthesize and isolate reactive species sitting atop polynuclear cluster compounds. Our vision is aimed at understanding and taming the formation of metal‑metal bonds towards the activation of small substrates.

Rice University is one of the top private research universities in the United States, ranked 17th in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report for national research universities. Located in Houston, the fourth largest city in the U.S., the laboratory is adjacent to the world's largest biomedical center, including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine among over a dozen top biomedical research institutions.

Rice University has made significant contributions in the fields of materials science, nanoscience, and artificial heart research.

This is a full‑time in‑person position at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Weekends and evenings are not required, though the candidate may work at these times at their discretion.

Travel outside of Rice University is not required for the position, though the successful candidate will be encouraged to attend at least one relevant scientific conference during their tenure in order to further their professional development.

The position entails exposure to the associated hazards of a synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry laboratory, including the use of toxic, pyrophoric, or corrosive chemicals on occasion. However, we will strictly adhere to best practices for the safe handling of these substances and will do everything in our power to mitigate their associated risks in collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety.

Finally, this position is funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding.

• Doctoral degree in Chemistry, expertise in synthetic inorganic chemistry is preferred.

• Experience working in glovebox environments under inert atmosphere.
• Able to work independently and professionally with minimal supervision and direction
• Ability to write scholarly papers based on ongoing research and submits them to journals for publication
• Able to work in a collaborative environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as oral presentation skills

• Experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry.
• Characterization of paramagnetic compounds.
• Familiar with single‑crystal X‑ray diffraction and EPR.
• Experience following reactions via NMR, UV‑vis, and FTIR.

• Design, develop, and execute reactions using standard Schlenk line techniques.
• Designs and implements research protocols; adapts new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures
• Publishes and presents research findings
• Supports project management and collaboration across institutions or disciplines
• Assists with proposal development to obtain research funding
• Mentors, oversees, and/or trains junior research team members
• Performs all other duties as assigned

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