"Postdoctoral Associate"

Job Description

A Postdoctoral Associate position is available within the Tengfei Li research group starting in February 2026. The position will focus on work on electrocatalysis, including the following two research directions:

• Electrochemical CO2 reduction: electrocatalyst development; flow reactor design; integrated CO2 capture and reduction.
• Electrochemical NOx reduction and building C-N bonds: electroreduction of nitrate, nitrite & R-NO2; organic electrosynthesis; co-reduction of NOx & CO2.

The position responsibilities are given in the Job Duties section, below.

Dr. Tengfei Li obtained his PhD degree in Prof. Curtis Berlinguette’s lab at University of British Columbia in Canada in 2018. He then moved to Prof. Erwin Reisner’s lab at the University of Cambridge for postdoc program. In 2022, he started independent research at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has been awarded with the RSC Nanoscale Emerging Investigator and Canadian Banting Postdoc Fellowship. He will join Virginia Tech as an assistant professor in January 2026.

Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) is an internationally recognized research university, particularly known for its science, engineering and technology programs. Virginia Tech’s campus is located in the peaceful town of Blacksburg, offering a safe environment with a low cost of living that makes it an ideal setting for focused academic and research pursuits.

Review of applications will begin on September 1, 2025. Informal inquiries (not applications) may be sent to tengfei.li.lab@gmail.com.

Required Qualifications

• Recent Ph.D. in chemistry or appropriate related discipline (chemical engineering, materials science, etc.) awarded prior to being appointed. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment to have a minimum of one year eligibility as a VT postdoc remaining.
• Skills in electrochemistry, chemical synthesis, electrocatalyst materials preparation & characterization.
• Experience with flow cell, GC, HPLC, in-situ IR & Raman, DEMS.
• Strong scientific textual & oral communication skills.
• Desire to mentor junior researchers
• Readiness and ability to interact professionally with an interdisciplinary team
• Be self-directed with the ability to work independently as well as with a research group
• Knowledge of and a commitment to use safe laboratory practices and proper research record-keeping.

Preferred Qualifications

• Publication record in electrocatalysis (ideally CO2RR & NOxRR).
• Evidence of oral scientific communication skills (i.e., presentations at conferences).

Pay Band

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Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Competitive Salary

Hours per week

40

Review Date

9/1/25

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.