Northern California HERC

The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar position in Dr. Fudong Liu's lab to conduct research on heterogeneous catalysis, thermal catalysis, nanomaterial synthesis, single atom catalysis, cluster catalysis, environmental pollution control including HC/CO oxidation, NO/NH3 oxidation, NH3 decomposition, NOx reduction and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal, greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs etc.) reduction/utilization, clean energy source conversion.

This is an open research area position, and the department welcomes applicants from all areas of chemical and environmental engineering who demonstrates strong potential for impactful research in the Liu Lab.

Applicants must hold a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related field, with strong heterogeneous catalysis research background. The Candidate should have a highly strong motivation in fundamental and applied heterogeneous catalysis research; Hands-on experience in thermal catalysis research, especially for heterogeneous gas-solid interface catalysis. Demonstrated experience in the synthesis, catalytic activity testing and standard characterization techniques of metal, metal oxide and zeolite catalysts.

Preferred qualifications
* Demonstrated experience with heterogeneous catalysis, thermal catalysis, nanomaterial synthesis, and/or single atom/cluster catalysis.
* Demonstrated experience with physisorption, chemisorption, temperature-programmed reduction/oxidation/desorption/surface reaction techniques, and performing catalytic conversions in gas phase under flow-through ambient pressure or high pressure conditions.
* Demonstrated experience with instruments including Mass Spec, FTIR (transmission mode), GC, GC/MS etc.
* Demonstrated experience with microscopy and spectroscopy techniques such as TEM, SEM, in situ DRIFTS (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, XPS, XAS (XANES and EXAFS experimental operation and data analysis) etc.
* Demonstrated experience with environmental pollutant control (diesel and gasoline vehicle emission control, indoor air purification) including HC/CO oxidation, NO/NH3 oxidation, NH3 decomposition, NOx reduction and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal, greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFC etc.) reduction/utilization, clean energy source conversion (alkane dehydrogenation, catalytic H2 production) etc.
* Mentorship experience of undergraduate and/or graduate researchers.
* Strong writing ability as demonstrated by publication record and fellowship/grant application.

The initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. Salary will range from $69,073 to $82,836 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with University of California guidelines see: UCOP Compensation Salary Scales.

To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter (which must include their area(s) of research specialization), a curriculum vitae (CV), and optionally, three letters of reference. Applications must be submitted through AP Recruit at UC Riverside Academic Personnel Recruit - Position JPF02277 Application Portal. Full consideration will be given to applications received by July 6, 2026, though the position will remain open until filled. The position is expected to start August 1, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to interview via Zoom.

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering.

Additional details regarding postdoctoral studies at UC Riverside can
be found at Graduate Division.