Postdoctoral Fellow I

Overview

The Green Catalysis Research Group, led by Professor Hua Song in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Utah State University (USU), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow based in Logan, Utah. The successful candidate will develop catalysts and reaction processes for methane utilization and the conversion of renewable and waste feedstocks into fuels and chemicals.

The research connects catalyst design and mechanistic understanding with reactor development and process performance. Depending on expertise, projects may involve methane-assisted upgrading, nonthermal plasma catalysis, carbon dioxide conversion and mineralization, or integration of catalytic and biological processes. Opportunities also include machine learning and automated experimentation for catalyst discovery and process optimization.

The fellow will help establish the laboratory and launch research activities at USU, working closely with Professor Song while developing an independent research profile. The position offers mentoring, opportunities to lead publications and contribute to proposals, and collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, with benefits in accordance with USU policies. The start date is negotiable.

Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize catalysts, and evaluate their activity, selectivity, stability, and regeneration under relevant reaction conditions.
• Develop and operate laboratory reactors for catalytic conversion, including gas handling, reaction control, sampling, and product analysis.
• Investigate reaction mechanisms and catalyst structure-performance relationships using kinetic studies and appropriate analytical methods.
• Analyze reaction products and establish material and carbon balances to guide catalyst selection and operating conditions.
• Assist with equipment specification, laboratory setup, instrument commissioning, and development of safe operating procedures.
• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, conference presentations, and contributions to research proposals.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers and coordinate experiments with collaborators.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Biological Engineering, or a closely related field, completed by the appointment start date.
• Research experience in experimental catalysis or reaction engineering, including catalyst preparation, characterization, or catalytic performance testing.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze quantitative data, and interpret results using chemical and engineering principles.
• Peer-reviewed publications relevant to the position and evidence of independent research contributions.
• Effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to collaborate, mentor students, and maintain a safe research environment.

Preferred:

• Methane activation, C1 chemistry, or catalytic upgrading of biomass, bio-oils, waste oils, or heavy hydrocarbons.
• Nonthermal plasma systems, plasma catalysis, or plasma-assisted bioconversion.
• High-pressure or continuous-flow reactors, reactor automation, or experimental system troubleshooting.
• Advanced catalyst characterization, in situ or operando spectroscopy, reaction kinetics, or isotope tracing.
• Gas chromatography, GC-MS, or complementary methods for gas and liquid product characterization.
• Carbon dioxide conversion or mineralization, ionic liquids, methanotroph cultivation, or biocatalysis.
• Python or MATLAB, machine learning, automated experimentation, process simulation, or techno-economic and life-cycle assessment.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please include:

• CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”.
• Cover letter describing relevant research experience, research interests within the group, and availability to start; type or paste the letter at the end of the application.
• Contact information for three professional references to be typed at the beginning of the application.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

Biological Engineering at USU is a top-25 ranked program in the United States with strong collaborations across the USU campus to provide the successful candidate exposure to interdisciplinary research approaches and strong mentoring and career development.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

*updated 10/26

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The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

titleix@usu.edu

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov

*updated 08/2026