Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Bachelor, Master, Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
The Sustainable Materials and Advanced Resources Transformation (SMART) group, led by Dr. Jinghao Li in the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering at Western Michigan University, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher/Research Scientist with expertise in chemical engineering, chemistry, or asphalt material science.
The successful candidate will work on projects focused on the development of sustainable feedstocks, with an emphasis on catalytic conversion, biomass-derived asphalt additives, and environmentally friendly binders for construction and transportation applications.
Available Subjects:
- Conduct independent and collaborative research on the development of functionalized biomass-based materials, asphalt rejuvenators, or bio-based thermoset/thermoplastic systems.
- Design and perform experiments related to chemical modification, materials processing, and property testing (e.g., rheology, thermal, and mechanical behavior).
- Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and present research findings at national/international conferences.
- Collaborate with industrial and academic partners on technology development and commercialization efforts.
Eligibility criteria:
- Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Asphalt materials), Chemistry, Material Science, or related disciplines.
- Strong background in biomass conversion, asphalt modification, polymer synthesis, or surface/interface chemistry.
- Experience with chemical characterization techniques (e.g., FTIR, TGA, DMA, DSR, BBR and others) is required.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications.
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should email the following materials to
jinghao.li@wmich.edu:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- One-page statement of research experience and interests
- Names and contact information of at least three references
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.