Post Doctoral Researcher

Role details

Posting Number

RTF00180PO26

USC Market Title

Post Doctoral Fellow

Link to USC Market Title

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156387

Business Title (Internal Title)

Post Doctoral Researcher

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

CAS Chemistry and Biochemistry

Anticipated Hiring Range

$55,000

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

37.5

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm
• Schedule is subject to change to meet the needs of the department or college.

Type of Staff Position

Staff Research Grant (SRGP)

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Other

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning.

All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement

Yes

State Insurance Programs

Yes

Annual Leave

Yes

Sick Leave

Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The Post Doctoral Fellow will conduct research or service that provides further development of career skills or allows them opportunities to learn new research techniques. Possible research projects may include reactive extrusion, high-performance composite materials, and/or microphase-separated polymeric materials. They will be trained by and work in conjunction with a faculty mentor who determines the training agenda. Post Doctoral Fellow will also supervise research assistants and laboratory personnel.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in area of research specialty by the start date of employment.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field by the start date of employment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• This position requires the following: (1) Expertise in synthetic polymer chemistry; (2) Familiarity with polymer analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, IR, GPC, TGA, DSC, rheology); and (3) Strong written and oral communication skills.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Conducting research in polymer materials and process chemistry to generate foundational results for publications and grant proposals. This work will use synthetic and analytical methods typical of organic polymer chemistry.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

40

Job Duty

Building lab capabilities of the Sims Group in order to accelerate the establishment of full productivity. This will be done through helping with ordering, equipment installation, and providing own recommendations for lab capabilities.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

40

Job Duty

Training & mentoring graduate students, which will both accelerate their development into independent scientists and develop the postdoc’s mentorship skills. This will be done through hands-on demonstrations, reviewing results with students, revising papers/presentations, and leading by example.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

20

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

09/01/2026

Position End Date

08/31/2027

Job Open Date

08/04/2026

Job Close Date

11/02/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of thirty (30) business days on our job website. After thirty (30) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by November 2, 2026. This posting is a re-advertisement. Applications previously submitted are all being considered. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Quicklink for Posting

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/210858

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.