Join Us

 

Biobased Coating Postdoc

New postdoctoral position is available in Prof. Thomas Epps’ group and Prof. LaShanda Korley’s group as part of Center for Research in Soft matter & Polymers (CRiSP) and as part of the NSF GCR Materials Life-Cycle Management program at University of Delaware (UD). This specific project is collaborative with the Chemical and Biological Center of the U.S. Army and allows the opportunity for both fundamental research and technology development depending on the interests of the candidate. If interested, please apply below.  Your application should include a cover letter and CV (with names of 3 references) with ‘Biobased Coating Postdoc’ in the email subject.

Fuel Cell Postdoc

New postdoctoral position is available in Prof. Thomas Epps’ group and Prof. Norman Wagner’s group as part of Center for Research in Soft matter & Polymers (CRiSP) at University of Delaware (UD). The specific project involves fuel cell membrane synthesis and/or characterizations, and is collaborative with a local chemical company and allows the opportunity for both fundamental research and technology development depending on the interests of the candidate. If interested, please apply below.  Your application should include a cover letter and CV (with names of 3 references) with ‘Fuel Cell Postdoc’ in the email subject.

Chemical Recycling / Upcycling Postdoc

New postdoctoral position is available in Prof. Thomas Epps’ group and Prof. LaShanda Korley’s group as part of the Center for Plastics Innovation – a DOE EFRC at the University of Delaware (UD). The specific project focuses on the valorization of mixed polymer/plastics waste streams through catalytic deconstruction approaches. If interested, please apply below.  Your application should include a cover letter and CV (with names of 3 references) with ‘Chemical Recycling/Upcycling Postdoc’ in the email subject.

Plastics Waste - Postdoc

A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the groups of Prof. Thomas Epps and Prof. LaShanda Korley in the Center for Plastics Innovation and the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware (UD). The position involves the valorization of plastics waste through chemocatalytic approaches, with a focus that extends beyond traditional polyolefin-based polymers.  The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with scientists and engineers at several companies, as well as several other academic institutions to develop new reaction schemes and catalysts for the deconstruction or depolymerization of plastics waste.  The postdoctoral researcher will conduct polymer synthesis and macromolecular characterization, deconstruction/depolymerization experiments, and thermomechanical and nanostructure analyses.  Interested candidates should have a strong background in polymer structure-property relationships, and experience with polymer synthesis to generate macromolecules with controlled and predictable structures is a plus. The position will also interface with the Sustainability and Materials Life-Cycle Management efforts based at UD, which will consider life-cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis.  A desire to collaborate with team members developing new catalysts and new reactor designs is desired.  The position has a term of one to three years. If interested, please apply below.  Your application should include a CV and the names of 2 – 3 potential references with ‘Plastics Waste – Postdoctoral Position’ in the email subject.

Doctoral Research Positions

The Epps research group seeks motivated and talented doctoral students to perform research in the areas of polymer synthesis, characterization, and applications. Students must first be accepted into the University of Delaware Chemical Engineering department. Information on applying to the department can be found on the UD website and the department website. Students joining the group commonly, though not necessarily, have backgrounds including polymer research or polymers classroom work. Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Epps and his students to find out more about our research and open doctoral positions. Please apply via the button below and include your current CV.

Undergraduate Research Positions

The Epps research group seeks motivated and talented undergraduate research students. No prior knowledge in polymer science is required. Undergraduate research exposes students to techniques in polymer synthesis, characterization, and applications. Furthermore, students can acquire a feel for the type of research performed at a graduate level including potential opportunities for publication and conference attendance. Research positions are often flexible enough to work around students’ class schedules and other prior commitments. For example, in the past students have worked during the winter session, summer sessions, semester, or combinations of those timings. Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Epps and his students to find out more information about our research environment and project opportunities.