Postdoctoral Materials Science Jobs in California

Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Salary range: $69,073-$82,836
Anticipated start: August 1, 2026
Review timeline: Applications will continue to be accepted until August 1, 2026, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Application Window
Open date: June 22, 2026
Next review date: Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Saturday, Jul 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
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 .
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
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.
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 University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally
diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association
of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities
(HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission is a
preferred qualification.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Sample of Publication(s) (Optional)
• Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

Reference requirements
References are optional. If you are providing reference letters, please combine and upload all reference letters
and include them in the Letters of Reference.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02277
Help contact: trudil@ucr.edu
About UC Riverside
The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission ( https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement ) is a preferred qualification.
We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal ( https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf ). For Non-Senate faculty positions, review criteria and duties are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.
For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH .
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination .
For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf .
Job location
Riverside, CA