The Forbes Research Group at the University of Iowa has an outstanding opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar working in the area of radiochemistry curriculum and laboratory development.

This position is supported by funding from the Association of Public Health Laboratories and is associated with the University of Iowa Department of Chemistry Radiochemistry Graduate Certificate Program. The postdoctoral scholar will leverage this support to design and develop an advanced laboratory course and expand lecture-based content in radiochemistry—enhancing both educational offerings and practical training within the certificate program.

• Initial term: one year with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding.


• Start date: TBD (must be after Ph.D. completion)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Curriculum and Laboratory Course Development
  
  
  
  
  • Lead the design of a new radiochemistry laboratory course, including:
    
    
    
    
    • Development of hands-on experiments.
    
    
    • Creation of comprehensive lab manuals, SOPs, safety protocols, and assessment rubrics.
    
    
    • Coordination of equipment acquisition, setup, maintenance, and operational training.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Lecture Content Expansion
  
  
  
  • Develop and update lecture materials for online courses.
  
  
  • Create engaging multimedia learning assets (slides, videos, problem sets, interactive case studies) for digital lecture content.
  
  
  
  


• Student Mentorship
  
  
  
  • Mentor graduate students in experiment design, execution, data analysis, and safety compliance.
  
  
  
  


• Research Integration
  
  
  
  • Conduct and coordinate research activities aligned with curriculum content
  
  
  • Promote publication of student-generated research and participation in conferences or internal symposia.
  
  
  
  


• Collaboration and Outreach
  
  
  
  • Collaborate with faculty in the Department of Chemistry and the Radiochemistry Certificate Program to coordinate course delivery and program development.
  
  
  • Present curriculum advancements and student outcomes at institutional and external venues.
  
  
  • Develop and share educational resources (e.g., teaching modules, lab guides, case studies).
  
  
  
  


• Administrative and Reporting Duties
  
  
  
  • Maintain detailed project documentation (lab notebooks, safety logs, assessment records).
  
  
  • Report regularly to program leadership and the Association of Public Health Laboratories on progress, milestones, and outcomes.
  
  
  
  

APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Curriculum Vita


• Letter of Interest


• Name and Contact Information of 3 References

• Ph.D. in radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, chemistry, or related discipline. If the candidate can demonstrate that PhD degree requirements have been met, but that the degree will not be officially conferred until a later date, the applicant may be considered to meet this requirement.

• Demonstrated expertise in radioanalytical techniques and experience with radioactive materials.

• Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.


• A record of interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching, and mentoring.


• Prior experience in curriculum or lab course development.


• Publications in radiochemistry and a demonstrated ability to mentor students toward scholarly output.