Opportunities
Available Opportunities: for Post-docs, Graduates, and Undergraduates.
- Nonlinear Spectroscopy and Dynamics at Interfaces
- Single Molecule Conductivity and Scanning Probe Microscopy of Molecular Wires
- Plasmonics
- Short-time visiting student positions at all levels
- PhD opportunities in the Department of Chemistry, Temple University
Nonlinear Spectroscopy and Dynamics at Interfaces
Positions for postdocs and graduate students are available in the Vibrational Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Molecular Species at Aqueous-Mineral Interfaces project. The position involves the use of vibrational Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) to investigate the mineral surface OH-group properties and acid-base chemistry. We are also investigating the ultra-fast vibrational dynamics of aqueous species, including water, at mineral surfaces. The laboratory has two ultra-fast regenerative amplifier systems, with IR optical parametric amplifiers.
Prospective graduate students should have a BS or MS in Chemistry, Physics or related discipline. Prior experimental experience is a plus, but not essential.
Post-doctoral candidates should have familiarity with ultra-fast lasers, and a knowledge of femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy is a plus. Candidates should preferably have experience with vibrational sum-frequency and/or second harmonic generation from interfaces. A strong background in physical/surface chemistry is desirable. Expertise in the following areas would be useful: surface chemistry, self-assembled monolayers, sensors, electrochemistry. A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed literature attesting to these capabilities is required. Additional responsibilities include training and supervision of students, and preparation of reports and manuscripts for publication. Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics or related discipline, awarded in the last five years, is necessary. Interested candidates should send a CV to Dr. Eric Borguet.
Single Molecule Conductivity and Scanning Probe Microscopy of Molecular Wires
Positions for postdocs and graduate students are available in our Single Molecule Conductivity and Scanning Probe Microscopy of Molecular Wires project. The focus of the research is the single molecule conductivity of peptide nucleic acid based structure, the effect of molecule electrode linker groups, and redox controlled conductivity, in collaboration with a team of experimentalists and theorists at the Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and Duke University.
Prospective graduate students should have a BS or MS in Chemistry, Physics or related discipline. Prior experimental experience is a plus but not essential.
Postdoctoral candidates must have experience with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), preferably obtaining atomic and molecular resolution, in ambient and under fluid. A background in physical chemistry or related discipline is desirable. Candidates should have expertise in electrochemistry, preparation of single crystal electrodes, and growth of self-assembled monolayers. A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed literature attesting to these capabilities is required Additional responsibilities include training and supervision of students, and preparation of reports and manuscripts for publication. Ph.D. in Chemistry or related discipline, awarded in the last five years, is necessary. Interested candidates should send a CV to Dr. Eric Borguet.
Plasmonics
Opportunities are available to investigate plasmonic related phenomena, notable plasmonically driven catalysis and sensing, as well as underlying dynamics. Current Projects include Plasmonic Sensing and Plasmonic Dynamics and Catalysis. Prospective graduate students should have a BS or MS in Chemistry, Physics or related discipline. Prior experimental experience is a plus but not essential. Postdoctoral candidates will develop expertise in nanopartible synthesis, linear and nonlinear optics, Raman spectroscopy, femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy, interfaces and novel materials. Prior experience in these areas is a plus. A strong background in physics, physical chemistry or related discipline is required. Strong communication skills are essential. Interested candidates should send a CV to Dr. Eric Borguet
– Plasmonic Catalysis and Sensing (Post-doctoral Opportunity)
The project seeks to design plasmonic nanoparticle hybrids to sense and to catalytically transform target molecules. The Borguet group will focus on the spectroscopic characterization of the catalytic and sensing properties of the materials to understand the mechanisms of action and to provide feedback to our synthetic (Millstone & Rosi) and computational (Johnson) collaborators at the University of Pittsburgh. Research will involve vacuum equipment as many of the analytes will be gaseous. Candidate should preferably have surface chemistry/spectroscopy experience. Expertise in the following areas would be useful; high vacuum techniques (including TPD), spectroscopic characterization (Raman, infrared, etc.), plasmonics, lasers, optics, catalysis, sensing, microscopy (AFM, SEM, TEM, STM, etc.). A strong record of publication in peer-reviewed literature attesting to these capabilities is required. A Ph.D. in Chemistry or related discipline, awarded in the last five years, is necessary.
A strong background in physical/surface chemistry is desirable. Strong communication skills are essential. Competitive compensation is available for well qualified individuals. Temple’s Chemistry Department has seen dramatic growth in photonics: six experimental groups (Borguet, Dai, Levis, Stanley, Sun, Willets) focusing on diverse areas including plasmonics and ultrafast lasers, as well as two theory groups (Matsika, Spano) that focus on light-matter interaction. In addition, the Borguet group is part of Temple’s Center for Computational Design of Functional Layered Materials (CCDM) an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the DOE.
Philadelphia, the 5th largest city in the US, is one of the most livable and inexpensive cities on the US East coast. Interested candidates should send a CV to:
Professor Eric BORGUET, Department of Chemistry,
Temple University, 1901 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 USA eborguet@temple.edu — http://www.sites.temple.edu/borguet/
Temple University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and specifically invites and encourages applications from women and minorities (AA, EOE, m/f/d/v.).
Recent related publications:
Seeing is Believing: Hot Electron Based Gold Nanoplasmonic Optical Hydrogen Sensor,
Devika Sil, Kyle D. Gilroy, Aurelia Niaux, Abdelaziz Boulesbaa, Svetlana Neretina and Eric Borguet,
ACS Nano 8 (8) 7755-7762 (2014)
DOI: 10.1021/nn500765t
Palladium Nanoparticle-based Surface Acoustic Wave Hydrogen Sensor,
Devika Sil, Uduak Udeoyo, Jacqueline Hines and Eric Borguet,
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 7, 5709-5714 (2015)
DOI: 10.1021/am507531s
Transformation of Truncated Gold Octahedrons into Triangular Nanoprisms through the Heterogeneous Nucleation of Silver,
Kyle D. Gilroy, Aarthi Sundar, Maryam Hajfathalian, Ali Yaghoubzade, Teng Tan, Devika Sil, Eric Borguet, Robert A. Hughes and Svetlana Neretina, Nanoscale 7, 6827-6835 (2015)
DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5b00102
Short-Time Visiting Students and Visiting Professors
Short-time visiting student and visiting professor positions are available now. Financial support is available for visits with a commitment of three months minimum. The projects includes:
surface chemistry
scanning probe microscopy (AFM,STM)
bio-electrochemistry
carbon materials (including carbon nanotubes)
surface based sensors
interfacial spectroscopy and dynamics by nonlinear optics
ultrafast laser development.
Candidates should have a background in chemistry, physics, biology or related discipline. Experience with surface analysis, STM, AFM, electrochemistry or lasers is a plus. Interested candidates should send a CV to Dr. Eric Borguet.
PhD opportunities in the Department of Chemistry, Temple University
Temple University: founded in 1884, is a state-related public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Temple University is the 28th largest university in the United States, the third largest provider of professional education in the country.
Department of Chemistry:
We are always interested in talented students. Our program is in rapid expansion and I think you will find interesting opportunities here. The Chemistry Department consists of 24 faculty.
Recent additions to the faculty include:
Among our affiliated faculty, John Perdew (Physics and Chemistry) is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and one of the world’s most cited scientists, specifically in the field of density functional theory (DFT). Here at Temple, Perdew is the founding director of the Center for Materials Theory, spearheading collaborative research in materials science. He also leads the DOE EFRC center at Temple.
The department continues to recruit new faculty members. In response to this continued growth, several of our research groups now occupy the new 246,000-square-foot Science Education and Research Center (SERC). Clearly, Temple is making a major investment in the Sciences and Chemistry in particular.
Temple’s Chemistry Department has seen dramatic growth in ultrafast laser science. Our vibrant photonics community consists of five groups (Borguet, Dai, Levis, Stanley, Willets) focusing diverse areas including plasmonics and ultrafast lasers as well as two theory groups (Matsika, Spano) that focus on light-matter interaction. Philadelphia, the 5th largest city in the US, is one of the most livable and inexpensive cities on the East coast.
The Graduate Application Process is described at Admission to the Ph.D. program requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 (Waivers can be granted in some cases). TOEFL scores need to be at least 575 paper-based, 230 computer-based, or 88 internet based.
Students admitted to our Ph.D. program in Chemistry receive full financial support. They do not pay tuition. They receive a stipend ($28k/year for 2020-2021) and their health insurance is paid. We admit most students in the Fall (August) and some in the Spring (January). Students who have completed a 4 year degree (Bachelors) are eligible to apply.
Please pay careful attention to your statement of purpose. It should be tailored to Temple and should indicate more than just one possible mentor at Temple including why each specific faculty mentor selected is of interest.
While Dec 15 (January 1 for international applicants) is a priority date for Fall (August start), applications are reviewed on a continual basis. Files will be considered for Spring semester (January start) of the following year if the application is not complete for admission in the Fall.
The department may waive the application fee for strong candidates with demonstrated financial need. More info is available at https://chem.cst.temple.edu/fee-waiver.html.