Postdoctoral Scholar: Sustainable Polymers
Position Overview
Organization: Environmental and Forest Sciences
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar: Sustainable Polymers
Position Details
Position Description
Dr. Mutian Hua’s lab at the University of Washington (the RISE Polymer Lab) seeks to hire a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to engage in the scalable synthesis and manufacturing of novel sustainable polymers derived from biomass. The candidate hired to this position will have the opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team to develop sustainable polymers with tunable characteristics, establish advanced manufacturing routes for these polymers and implement computational algorithms to assist their optimization.
The RISE Polymer Lab is dedicated to developing the next generation of robust, intelligent, sustainable, and evolving (RISE) polymers with high robustness, bio-renewability, life-like responsiveness, and evolvable properties to resolve the conflict of global development and plastic waste accumulation. The lab seeks to understand the structural-property relationship in polymers through molecular engineering, structural engineering, and advanced characterization across scales. With these insights, we resolve conflicting design principles required to combine diverse properties for advanced applications in consumer, biomedical, and robotic soft materials.
This position is full-time (100% FTE) and will be an initial 12-month appointment with a possible extension. The start date is negotiable with availability starting on 9/24/2025.
The position will remain open until filled, with a priority consideration date of 8/3/2025.
Job duties/responsibilities
Scope of work includes:
- Developing synthesis procedures for biomass derived sustainable polymers.
- Characterizing the structural, mechanical and physical properties of polymers to understand their structure-property relationships.
- Optimizing the properties of the developed sustainable polymers through interdisciplinary approaches.
- Contributing to the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.
- Publishing peer-reviewed journal articles and presenting at conferences.
Compensation
The salary range for this position will be $68,460 to $79,620 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
About the University of Washington
The University of Washington (Seattle campus), a leader in undergraduate and graduate education and one of the world's premiere research universities, offers rigorous academic programs, outstanding faculty, and diverse cultural and social opportunities in a stimulating intellectual environment. The College of the Environment, including its six Schools and Departments and multiple programs, institutes, and centers, connects educators, researchers, students and citizens, cultivating communities who work with and learn from each other while tackling critical environmental challenges. The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences is dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the sustainable use of their products and services through teaching, research and outreach. Our Seattle location is ideal, with access to a multitude of collaboration opportunities in a vibrant urban location with the allure of the mountains, forests and islands within 45 minutes of campus.
The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).
The UW and School of Environmental and Forest Sciences promote diversity and inclusivity among our students, faculty, staff, and public. Thus, we are strongly seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.
Postdoctoral scholars at UW are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Qualifications
Candidates must hold a PhD or demonstrate completion of all degree requirements by the start of the appointment and have no more than four years of total postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment.
The successful candidate for this position will have expertise in a relevant discipline (e.g. materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, etc.) Candidates with experience in (but not limited to) nanocellulose synthesis, polymer synthesis, dynamic covalent chemistry, catalysis, and additive manufacturing are encouraged to apply.
University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five years/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.
Instructions
To apply for this position, please submit an application via Interfolio. Applicants must submit:
1) A statement of research interests and relevant skills set
2) A representative example of your scholarly work/s
3) A CV
4) Names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers of three references
Questions regarding potential disability accommodations during the application process can be directed to sefsjobs@uw.edu.
Questions regarding the position can be directed to mthua@uw.edu.
Position open until filled. Priority consideration date of 8/3/2025.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
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Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.