The Presidents Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) at the University of Minnesota Duluth at University of Minnesota in Duluth, Minnesota

Job Description:

The Presidents Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP)

The Swenson College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth welcomes applications for 2 Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows in any of the following areas:

• Physics and Astronomy
• Chemistry and Biochemistry / Advanced Material Science
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Large Lakes Observatory
• Mathematics and Statistics

As part of a continuing commitment to build a culturally diverse intellectual community and advancing scholars from underrepresented groups in higher education [including, but not limited to, individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and others], the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth is pleased to announce its participation in the Presidents Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP), made possible by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the Office of Equity and Diversity, and the Office of the Dean of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering.

As part of the University of California Partnership for Faculty Diversity, the goal of the University of Minnesota program is to offer a rewarding postdoctoral experience that includes the possibility of a transition to a tenure-track faculty position after two years. The University seeks applicants whose research, practice, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and at the University of Minnesota.

About the Positions

At the University of Minnesota, postdoctoral associates are academic employees who conduct research and/or advance their artistic praxis and are supported by a network of mentors who will welcome fellows to the our schools/departments, partner with them on advancing their research agenda/body of work, expose them to new research techniques and/or practices, work towards their full integration into the program, and connect them to resources beyond their home departments. This one-year fellowship is renewable for a second year. Renewing for a second year has been the norm with previous fellows of the PPFP at the University of Minnesota.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics and Astronomy

The UMD Department of Physics and Astronomy invites research postdoctoral fellows in broadly defined fields of theoretical physics, particle physics, observational astronomy, experimental or theoretical condensed matter physics, and physics education. For candidates interested in teaching, opportunities exist for teaching undergraduate or courses across our curriculum. Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows interested in working with us can join studies on cosmology and quantum gravity (Claire Zukowski, czukowsk@d.umn.edu), transiting exoplanets and eclipsing binary stars (Dan Stevens, djs17@d.umn.edu), theory, phenomenology, or experimental neutrino physics (contact Rik Gran, rgran@umn.edu and Alec Habig, ahabig@umn.edu), experimental condensed matter physics (Laura Adams, lladams@d.umn.edu), and physics education (contact department head, Sergei Katsev skatsev@d.umn.edu). Prospective fellows should contact one of the faculty members above to discuss their fellowship application.

Candidates should have received a PhD degree in a relevant field by the start date of the appointment and are expected to show a strong record of publication or other scholarly achievement for their career stage. Candidates with interest in developing their teaching skills are welcome to provide a statement of their interests or experiences in physics education. We welcome all candidates with interest in contributing to the intellectual life and activities of the Department, contributing to positive faculty and student relationships, and building connections across the University that advance the fellows research and benefit other faculty members, researchers, students, and communities served by the University.

Please direct general questions to Physics and Astronomy Department Head, Sergei Katsev (skatsev@d.umn.edu).

Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry and Biochemistry / Advanced Materials Science

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota Duluth is a highly interdisciplinary department with strong links to the University of Minnesota Duluth Medical School, the College of Pharmacy, the Advanced Materials Center, the Natural Resources Resources Institute, and the Large Lakes Observatory, including multiple faculty with joint appointments across these institutes. Our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities include multiple shared instrumentation facilities and a Chemistry & Advanced Materials Science building that opened in 2020.

Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty conduct research in a variety of areas that span the chemical sciences and beyond. Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows interested in working with us can join research on organic carbon cycling and natural organic matter structure in the Laurentian Great Lakes (Katie Schreiner, kschrein@d.umn.edu), organic matter photochemistry in lake and marine systems (Liz Minor, eminor@d.umn.edu), quantifying and characterizing the degradation of polymers and plastics (Melissa Maurer-Jones, maujones@d.umn.edu), assessing the impact of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) on undergraduates laboratory skill development (Jake Wainman, jgauer@d.umn.edu), Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Preclinical Drug Discovery of New Anticancer Agents (Venkatram Mereddy, vmereddy@d.umn.edu), developing new quantitative fluorescence and laser spectroscopy techniques to measure molecular interactions and characterizing protein-based environmental biosensors (Ahmed Heikal, aaheikal@d.umn.edu, and Erin Sheets, edsheets@d.umn.edu), fabrication of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials for solar energy conversion and storage applications and molecular electronic devices (Prashanth Poddutoori, ppk@d.umn.edu), development of new synthetic methodologies based on organic chemistry of hypervalent iodine (Viktor Zhdankin, vzhdanki@d.umn.edu), or the biosynthesis and evolution of plant-derived chemical compounds using artificial intelligence (Lucas Busta, bust0037@d.umn.edu).

Candidates should have received a PhD degree in a relevant field by the start date of the appointment and a strong record of publication or other scholarly achievement for their career stage. We strive to support the research and professional growth of postdoctoral fellows. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the Department and University, including participating in department activities such as seminars, contributing to positive faculty and student relationships, and building connections across the University that advance the fellows research and benefit other faculty members, researchers, students, and communities served by the University.

Please direct general questions to Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Head, Kathryn Schreiner (kschrein@d.umn.edu).

Postdoctoral Fellow in Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) at the University of Minnesota Duluth is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the environmental and geological processes that shape our planet on local, regional, and global scales and preparing students to address pressing environmental and resource management challenges.

Our department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate degree programs that provide a foundation in environmental science, geology, and hydrology, with unique access to a region rich with geological diversity and home to one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world - Lake Superior.

EES faculty and students conduct research in the fields of hydrogeology, quantitative geomorphology (John Swenson, jswenso2@d.umn.edu); igneous/experimental petrology, mantle geochemistry (Fred Davis, fdavis@d.umn.edu); sedimentary geochemistry, sedimentology/stratigraphy, early Earth evolution (Latisha Brengman, lbrengma@d.umn.edu); geochronology, paleoceanography, tectonics (Christina Gallup, cgallup@d.umn.edu); sedimentology of lakes, stable isotope applications to lakes, paleoclimatology (William Daniels, dani0357@d.umn.edu, and Byron Steinman, bsteinma@d.umn.edu); fluvial geomorphology (Karen Gran, kgran@d.umn.edu); structural geology and geomechanics (Michael Braunagel, braun578@d.umn.edu); conservation paleobiology, paleoecology, and marine invertebrates (Jansen Smith, smithja@d.umn.edu).

We are open to candidates who conduct research in any of the above areas but are particularly interested in an environmental geoscientist focused on atmospheric and/or critical zone science using advanced data science techniques or remote sensing applications.

Our faculty also collaborates closely with UMDs Large Lakes Observatory and Natural Resources Research Institute, fostering interdisciplinary research and leveraging state-of-the-art facilities.

Candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant field by the appointment start date and demonstrate a strong record of scholarly achievement or publication, commensurate with their career stage. The successful candidate will be expected to engage actively in the intellectual community of the Department, College, and University. This includes attending departmental seminars, fostering positive relationships with faculty and students, and building collaborative connections across the University to advance their research while benefiting other faculty, researchers, students, and the broader communities served by UMD.

The fellow will be matched with an EES faculty mentor. Our department is committed to providing mentoring support that will allow fellows to thrive as scholars, teachers, and leaders. The fellow and mentor will meet throughout the year to discuss research trajectories, professional and teaching goals, professional development, grant writing, and work/life balance.

Please feel free to name potential faculty mentors in your research statement. For general inquiries, please contact EES Department Head, Byron Steinman (bsteinma@d.umn.edu).

Postdoctoral Fellow in the Large Lakes Observatory

The Large Lakes Observatory (LLO) at UMD is the only institute in the US dedicated to the scientific study of large lakes throughout the world. Our faculty hold appointments in UMDs Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Physics departments, bringing a strong interdisciplinary dimension to research, education, and outreach conducted at LLO. We maintain a robust research program on the Laurentian Great Lakes, but our outlook and activities are global. Current research focuses on both large and small lakes in East Africa, Asia, and the Americas, as well as coastal ocean environments and ancient aquatic systems. Our analytical and laboratory facilities support a wide range of research in biogeochemistry, biology, sedimentology, and physics of aquatic environment, and we operate the only UNOLS research vessel on the Great Lakes, the R/V Blue Heron.

The LLO is part of an established limnology community in Duluth and the University of Minnesota system. Our scientists work closely with other aquatic researchers at UMD and the University of Minnesota system, as well as governmental and non-profit environmental groups in the Duluth area, including the Natural Resources Research Institute, the Duluth EPA laboratory, and the St Louis Estuary National Estuarine Research Reserve.

LLO faculty and students conduct research in the fields of paleolimnology and paleoclimatology, physical processes in lakes, organic and inorganic biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology, and aquatic ecology. Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows interested in working with us can join studies on organic carbon cycling and organic geochemistry (Katie Schreiner, kschrein@d.umn.edu), microplastics (Liz Minor, eminor@d.umn.edu), organic and inorganic carbon cycling (Liz Minor, eminor@d.umn.edu), fluid dynamics, waves, and turbulence (Samuel Kelly, smkelly@d.umn.edu), biogeochemical modeling and ancient oceans (Sergei Katsev, skatsev@d.umn.edu), paleoclimatology and climate dynamics (Byron Steinman, bsteinma@d.umn.edu), cyanobacteria and bloom ecology and sediment microbiology (Cody Sheik, cssheik@d.umn.edu), winter limnology (Ted Ozersky, tozersky@d.umn.edu), and bioacoustics or remote-sensing based studies of lake dynamics (Catherine OReilly, oreillycm@gmail.com). Prospective fellows should contact one of the faculty members above to discuss your fellowship application before applying. We encourage prospective applicants with unique ideas that may not fit directly into one of the topics listed here to reach out to the most closely relevant faculty.

We are committed to supporting the research and professional growth of postdoctoral fellows and fostering a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences. The successful candidate is expected to actively contribute to the intellectual life of the LLO and the University by engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration. The postdoctoral fellow will participate in department activities, including attending seminars, fostering positive relationships among faculty, students, and staff, and building connections across the University that advance the fellows research and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive academic community.

Candidates should have received a PhD degree in a relevant field by the start date of the appointment and should demonstrate a strong record of publication or other scholarly achievements for their career stage.

Please direct general questions to Ted Ozersky (tozersky@d.umn.edu).

Postdoctoral Fellow in Mathematics and Statistics

The Mathematics and Statistics Department at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) invites applications for postdoctoral fellows in mathematics or statistics. Faculty in Mathematics and Statistics actively conduct research in various areas including applied math, mathematical biology, modeling and simulation, celestial mechanics, number theory, combinatorics, topology, math education, and statistics.

Candidates should have received a PhD degree in a relevant field by the start date of the appointment and are expected to show a strong research record for their career stage. Candidates with interest in developing their teaching skills are welcome to provide a statement of their interests or experiences in mathematics or statistics education. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the intellectual life and activities of the Department. This includes contributing to positive faculty and student relationships, and building connections across the University that advance the fellows research and benefit other faculty members, researchers, students, and communities served by the University.

The fellow will be matched with a departmental faculty mentor. Our department is committed to providing mentoring support that will allow fellows to thrive as scholars, teachers, and leaders. The fellow and mentor will meet throughout the year to discuss research trajectories, professional and teaching goals, professional development, grant writing, and work/life balance.

Please direct any questions to the Department Head, Dr. Kate Petersen (kpete@d.umn.edu).

Award Details for 2025-27 PPFP

• Salary: $57,000, plus health benefits
• $10,000 for the following:
  • Research funds
  • Travel to system campuses travel for the fellow and mentor for PPFP events (per year)
• Office space and computer
• School mentoring and workshops
• Expectation of a tenure-track position at the end of the fellowship, subject to satisfactory performance, departmental review and vote, and college approval.
• Relocation expenses

Required Application Materials

For full consideration, please be sure to include the following materials in your application:

• Thesis abstract one page
• Research Proposal 700-1,000 words (not including references and citations) describing the project you would like to work on over the term of your postdoctoral fellowship period. In your research proposal, please list faculty mentors you would like to work with. Note that each participating unit has designated an acting faculty mentor to endorse your application when it is submitted via the UC Portal System. Through the selection process, participating units will work closely with applicants to identify an appropriate mentor or mentoring committee to work with during their postdoctoral appointment.
• Education and Background Statement 500-700 words describing your personal background, contributions to diversity and equal opportunity through your academic career, relevant professional/non-traditional academic experience, and rationale for your postdoc commitment.
• Curriculum vitae
• Sample of work sample publication or unpublished paper for PhDs, please limit to 35 pages (not including references and citations)
• Name, institutional affiliation, and email addresses of two references

How do I apply and what are the deadlines?

Please note the University of Minnesota Duluths PPFP deadline is December 13, 2024.

• Application instructions can be found on the University of California website
• Apply online via the PPFP website
• Questions? Contact ppfp@umn.edu

Closing Date: December 1, 2024, 11:59 PM. Review of applications will begin immediately. Units may ask you to submit additional materials as they engage in their selection processes.

About the Swenson College of Swenson Science and Engineering

With more than 2,700 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, Swenson College of Science and Engineering is the largest college at UMD and one of the largest in the University of Minnesota system. Swenson College is the home for all of the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math) at UMD.

The science departments include:

• Biology
• Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Earth & Environmental Sciences
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Physics & Astronomy

The engineering departments include:

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

We are the home of the:

• Large Lakes Observatory
• Iron Range Engineering Program
• Integrated Biosciences graduate program
• Water Resources Science graduate program
• Advanced Materials Center
• Air Force ROTC Aerospace Studies program

We also have close affiliations with the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) and the Minnesota Sea Grant program.

About the University of Minnesota Duluth

The University of Minnesota Duluth campus is the second largest research university within the University of Minnesota public university system. UMD is a comprehensive university of about 8700 students located along the shores of Lake Superior. Opportunities exist for collaboration with faculty at the UMNs College of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine at UMD, as well as scientists and engineers at the Natural Resources Research Institute, the Large Lakes Observatory, the Institute on the Environment, the Advanced Materials Center, and various local, state, and federal agencies such as the EPA Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division Laboratory.

Duluth is the largest city in northern Minnesota and is part of the Twin Ports metropolitan area (Duluth, MN and Superior, WI). The Twin Ports area hosts four colleges/universities, two major hospitals, many retail and manufacturing companies, and the largest commercial port on the Great Lakes. Duluth has vibrant music, theater, and arts scenes, and a steadily increasing number of craft breweries and award-winning restaurants. Duluth offers affordable housing, an absence of appreciable traffic, and mixes its historic feel with a dynamic urban economy and many cultural offerings. Named by Outdoor Magazine as one of Americas Best Outdoors Towns, Duluth provides access to hundreds of miles of biking, hiking, and skiing trails and abundant opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and sailing.

Diversity & Equal Opportunity

The University of Minnesota recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Learn more about diversity at the University of Minnesota, as well as the Swenson College of Science and Engineering.

Background Check

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and eligibility to work in the United States. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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