UMass Postdoctoral Fellow: New Materials for Chemical and Biological Protection

There is an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Polymer Science & Engineering department at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.  As a postdoctoral researcher, the candidate will study and develop new materials and devices for Chemical and Biological Protection.  Toward the realization of a new paradigm of adaptive protective and breathable garments, in this work we will demonstrate a chemical threat responsive fabric. Response to the threat is triggered by direct chemical warfare agent (CWA) or CWA initiated electrophilic/nucleophilic attack to the functional groups at the membrane surface, upon which the fabric switches from a highly breathable state in no/low-threat environment to a protective state by exfoliating the contaminated surface layer.  The candidate may be asked to help mentor and train graduate and undergraduate students and help direct research pursuits in the areas of advanced reactive network polymers.  The candidate will also serve as staff expert on thin polymer layers with a consultation role and maintain active academic, government and industrial collaborations.  Proposal writing, documentation of work through publications in top journals, and patent filings will be required.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science, engineering or related disciplines, with experience with polymeric materials, synthesis and processing.  A strong history in advanced organic materials or reactive polymeric materials is also highly desirable.  Of particular interest are people with skills working with hydrogels, reactive polymers, or highly nucleophilic agents. The candidate must also have a desire to engage in multi-disciplinary projects.  This is a basic research project and is not military research or classified research. All results of this work will be published. Candidates should disclose where they currently reside, their nationality, and what their VISA/immigration status is. Failure to provide this information will slow consideration of your application. Interested candidates should provide a cover letter, complete CV, brief research statement, and the names of three references to Professor Kenneth R. Carter, 416 Conte Building, 120 Governors Drive, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.  Applications may be sent electronically and only to umassresearch@gmail.com. Please reference “CHEM/BIO POSTOC” in the subject line. Failure to follow these simple rules will increase the likelihood that your package will not be considered. General questions may also be sent to the above email.  Applications, comments, and inquiries sent to other email addresses for Professor Carter will not be evaluated.

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Sincerely,

Professor Kenneth Carter