新西兰奥塔哥大学博士后职位—化学

Postdoctoral Fellow – Chemistry-2200570

University of Otago

Description

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago is the oldest chemistry department in New Zealand. It has grown to be one of the largest Departments in the Division of Sciences and contributes to various courses and programmes in Sciences and Health Sciences.

Responsibility for the Department’s dual mandate of teaching and research is shared among full-time academic staff and a number of teaching and research fellows, assisted by a similar number of technical, secretarial and general staff. As such, the Department is one of the largest and most active in New Zealand, with working conditions and facilities that rival those of many overseas departments.

The role/Te mahi

The Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund has awarded the Ennis group a 3-year research grant to investigate the formation and structure of nitrogenous co-crystal minerals relevant to Titan’s atmosphere and surface; including the study of possible astrochemical pathways toward higher-order organic molecules.

This postdoctoral research position is to support and advance all objectives of this laboratory astrochemistry research project, including the coordination of overseas experiments with expert collaborators at ANSTO Sydney and at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Key tasks of the role include: • Synthesis, purification, and handling of hazardous gaseous samples. • The design and development of new laboratory capabilities including gas manifolds, photolysis and electron sources and mass spectrometry analytical platforms. • Carrying out the optimisation and performing maintenance of synthesis lines, high vacuum equipment and cryogenic systems. • Performing data analysis including vibrational spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray and neutron diffraction crystallography, as well as performing supporting DFT calculations. • Contributing toward novel experiment design. • Liaising with the international team to coordinate remote experiments. • Preparing work for conference presentation, publication and assisting with the writing of manuscripts. • Undertaking any relevant health and safety training to ensure sound health and safety practices are carried out.

Kā pūkeka me kā wheako/Your skills and experience

Successful candidates will have: • A PhD degree. • Previous experience with synthesis and purification of gas samples, including knowledge of safe handling and disposal procedures. • Previous experience with laboratory high vacuum and cryogenic systems as applied to astrochemistry or surface science studies. • Previous experience with powder x-ray and/or neutron diffraction and associated data analysis routines advantageous.

Pūroko/Further details

This is a fixed term (2.5 years), full- time position.

We offer competitive salary, five weeks’ annual leave, a 6.75% superannuation scheme, and the ability to achieve real work/life balance. More information regarding employee benefits can be found at: Employee Benefits.

Applications from candidates with Māori and Pacific backgrounds or strong competencies in these areas are warmly encouraged.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this position,

For further information, please contact Dr Courtney Ennis, via the contact details below.

Tono/Application

To submit your application (including CV and cover letter) please click the apply button below. Applications quoting reference number 2200570 will close on Monday, 2 May 2022.