Job Title

Computational Materials and Chemistry, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department

Chemistry

University Expectation

MTSU seeks candidates committed to innovative teaching and meaningful service. We also seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with diverse students.

Salary

The salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Department of Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral research fellow position in computational materials and chemistry This is a one-year temporary appointment with the possibility of renewal for an additional year. The start date is as early as August 1, 2026.

Dr. Zhen Jiang’s research focuses on computational chemistry and materials theory, with particular interests in reaction mechanisms, ion/electron transport in catalytic and energy materials, and data-driven materials design. The group combines first-principles calculations (DFT), multiscale modeling, high-throughput computation, and machine learning to study and rationally design novel catalytic and energy materials.

The group’s long-term research directions include:

• Reactivity in bulk materials and interfaces.
• Reaction mechanism modeling.
• Machine-learning-assisted materials design
• Machine-learning-assisted development of kinetic methods.
• Materials database construction and data mining.

Related work has been published in leading international journals, including Science, Nature Energy, Nature Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Advanced Materials, and ACS Catalysis. The group also maintains long-term collaborations with multiple experimental and theoretical research teams in both the United States and China.

Personal Website: https://zhenjiang16.github.io/Homepage/

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=252n0esAAAAJ&hl

The successful candidate will have the following

• Solid background in first-principles calculations or materials modeling (such as VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, etc.)
• Good Python programming skills
• Experience in high-throughput computation, data analysis, or machine learning
• Demonstrate strong research independence

Required Education

A terminal degree in materials science, chemistry, computer science, condensed matter physics, or a closely related interdisciplinary field is required by the appointment date.

Other Desirables

Applicants familiar with defect calculations, band structure/density of states analysis, phase stability, or transport property calculations and who have published SCI-indexed papers in computational materials science or AI for Materials will receive special consideration.

Documents Needed to Apply

To successfully apply, applicants must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and research statement (as appropriate to the discipline) during the online application process.

Special Instruction to Applicants 

For more information about serving as a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University, please visit our faculty recruitment webpage at https://mtsu.edu/facultyrecruitment/.

If you need help applying, please contact Mitzi Dunkley, Faculty Recruitment Specialist, at (615) 898-5128. If you have position-specific questions, please contact Zhen Jiang at Zhen.Jiang@mtsu.edu.

MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:  

• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
• 13 paid University holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
• Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents

MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424.

MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.

For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email emp@mtsu.edu.

Application Review Date: 04/08/2026