Two Postdoctoral Positions Available!

The Kubarych and Ogilvie groups have two open postdoctoral positions in polaritonic chemistry

We are excited to be able to search for a postdoctoral researcher for a joint project of our two labs that is part of a newly established collaboration with the Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA). To get the project going, we are exploring new ways to control and enhance CO2 reduction catalysis using molecule-cavity strong coupling. This is part of an overall strategy at Toyota to be fully carbon zero by 2050, an ambitious goal that will require major breakthroughs that transcend traditional paradigms.

Despite the industrial sponsorship, this research is truly curiosity-driven and focused on fundamental chemical dynamics and reactivity—there is no commercial product that we are developing. Nor is there any expectation that we will deliver specific technology. They are genuinely interested in pushing the boundaries of quantum dynamics in chemistry, and they sought us out for collaboration.

This is an opportunity to apply our full suite of multidimensional optical spectroscopy methods to investigate ultrafast dynamics and chemical reactivity in cavity-controlled chemistry. A postdoc in the Ogilvie and Kubarych labs will have access to our individual labs, as well as the joint Laboratory for Ultrafast Multidimensional Optical Spectroscopy (LUMOS). LUMOS is purpose-built to be capable of reliable, yet state-of-the-art multidimensional techniques, 2D-IR, 2D-ES, as well as the combination methods 2D-EV, and 2D-VE. These resources are ideal for both “routine” and novel multidimensional methods, offering a postdoctoral researcher the latitude to explore their own ideas as well as to contribute synergistically to other ongoing projects in the labs.

Michigan is a center of both multidimensional spectroscopy and polaritonics. In addition to the Ogilvie and Kubarych labs, Steve Cundiff’s lab is active in applying multidimensional spectroscopy to condensed matter physics systems. On the cavity side, two leaders of polaritonic condensed matter physics, Hui Deng and Stephen Forrest, are excellent resources and are eager to collaborate. Michigan is home to the Lurie nanofabrication facility, which is a valuable resource for building advanced cavity geometries.

The University of Michigan is a leader in accelerating broad participation in all areas of academia, with a commitment and support for fostering a diverse community and inclusive environment. In particular, we value and appreciate the unique challenges of postdoctoral researchers, and enthusiastically support the University of Michigan Postdoctoral Association.

Both Jennifer and I take mentorship extremely seriously and are committed to the professional development of all of our group members.

We hope that you will forward this email to any potentially interested students in your group. We are hoping to get started as soon as possible!

Thank you so much for your help, and also for the excellent role you have played in mentoring wonderful students in our community.

Best,
Kevin Kubarych and Jennifer Ogilvie