Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a diverse, beautiful, university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames Laboratory!

Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, civility, and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success. We offer an exceptional benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance, Wellbeing program, Employee Assistance Program;
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit or defined contribution plans;
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans;
• Onsite childcare;
• Life insurance and long-term disability;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

Ames National Laboratory is a world leader in catalysis, polymer upcycling, separations, computational chemistry, rare earths, quantum materials, synthesis, and additive manufacturing. Ames Laboratory is the leader of the Critical Materials Institute, a DOE-supported Energy Innovation Hub.  

We are looking for a postdoctoral research associate to work on the synthesis and characterization of new surface organometallic catalysts under the supervision of Damien Culver and Aaron Sadow. We are searching for an applicant with experience in the synthesis and characterization of air – sensitive organometallic complexes and/or materials, and utilization of these complexes/materials for catalytic transformations. The successful candidate is projected to work on two project areas. The first area is the development of well-defined heterogeneous and homogeneous organometallic pincer catalysts for the chemoselective cleavage of C-O bonds. The second area is the formulation of well-defined neutral ligands bound to the surface of oxides for the support of neutral, low valent late transition metal catalysts for hydrogenolysis, dehydrogenation, and hydrogenation reactions. The successful candidate will draft research manuscripts related to the research projects. Presentation of work at national or international research conferences and focused workshops is anticipated.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field. Ph.D. must be completed prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated proficiency and understanding of experimental organometallic synthesis, including air – free techniques.
• Experience utilizing common molecular analytical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, to characterize new small molecules and precursors.
• Experience designing, performing, and analyzing catalytic reactions.
• Surface organometallic chemistry
• Oxide synthesis and characterization (such as gas absorption and powder x-ray diffraction).
• Solid – state nuclear magnetic spectroscopy
• Willingness to work in a collaborative environment.
• Evidence of good written and oral communication skills.  
• Experience using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Experience finding relevant publications using Scifinder or other search engines.
• The applicant must be willing and able to collaborate with other scientists with similar or very different expertise.