Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Bachelor, Master, Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
Multiple fully funded PhD and postdoctoral positions are available in the Advanced Soft Functional Materials (ASFM) Lab, led by Dr. Jinjia Xu in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (jointly with Washington University-St. Louis), starting in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.
These positions focus on developing new functional organic and polymeric materials for optoelectronic and biomedical applications. Candidates should have strong experimental skills in organic synthesis, polymerization methods, materials characterization, advanced manufacturing, device nanofabrication, and chemical biology. The position will remain open until filled.
Our research interests bridge organic chemistry, polymer materials, soft matter nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering. We aim to design, synthesize, and develop advanced characterization strategies to create new soft functional materials, controlling their dynamic behaviors and interfacial properties with biological systems. The goal is to integrate fundamental research in soft matter nanotechnology and biomedical engineering to develop multifunctional polymers and macromolecules for advanced technologies addressing challenges in energy, environment, and healthcare.
Available Subjects:
- Twisted but Conjugated π-Molecules as n-type Semiconductors: Focus on the molecular design, synthesis, characterization, and functional applications of twisted conjugated π-molecules as n-type semiconductors.
- Organic Luminescent Functional Materials: Development of organic luminescent materials aimed at next-generation optoelectronic devices and biosensors.
- Smart Zwitterionic Biomaterials: Engineering zwitterionic biomaterials to enhance the bio-electronic interface for improved performance in biomedical applications.
Eligibility criteria:
- B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field. Preference for M.S. candidates with project experience and publication records.
- Strong background and hands-on experience in organic synthesis, polymerization methods, materials characterization, chemical biology, and advanced manufacturing.
- Willingness to work in a highly interdisciplinary field with strong multitasking abilities.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal, written, and leadership skills.
- Experience in chemical biology and animal studies is a strong plus.
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should email Dr. Jinjia Xu at [email protected] with the following materials:
- A cover letter (maximum 1 page) briefly describing your research experience and interests.
- An updated CV, including GRE/TOEFL scores (GRE is optional), publication list, and contact information for three professional references.
- Transcripts.
