Researchers in the Lee lab acquire direct, hands-on experience in a broad array of techniques, including anaerobic (glovebox and Schlenk technique) and aerobic synthesis, reactivity studies and mechanistic analysis, and physical property characterization by a range of relevant (UV-Vis-IR, NMR, EPR, Moessbauer, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical, magnetochemical) methods. Graduates of the laboratory have gone on to pursue career paths ranging from graduate and postgraduate study in chemistry, medicine, law, and public policy, to professional employment in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Research positions are currently available at all levels:
Postdoctoral Associates: Postdoctoral positions are available in the general area of synthetic inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry. Chemists with a strong background in synthesis are invited to apply; familiarity with anaerobic methods (Schlenk and glovebox techniques) is necessary, and experience with single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (including data collection and processing) is desirable. Please direct inquiries or applications (CV with publication list and research summary, and letters of reference) to Prof. Sonny C. Lee.
Graduate Students: Positions are currently available for graduate study (MSc, PhD) in the Lee laboratory. Research in the laboratory focuses on synthetic inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, and students can expect to develop expertise on the role of metals in biology, as well as an understanding of fundamental inorganic chemistry. Interested individuals with strong academic backgrounds are encouraged to contact Prof. Lee for additional information; for consideration, please include a resume / CV and an unofficial academic transcript. International students are welcome. Graduate study in chemistry at the University of Waterloo is administered through the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry (GWC2); further details on the graduate program and application process can be found on the GWC2 website.
Undergraduate Students: Undergraduate students are a regular presence in the laboratory, and Prof. Lee has supervised the senior research theses of nine undergraduates to date. Undergraduates in both regular and co-op programs, at Waterloo or elsewhere, who are interested in chemistry research are invited to explore opportunities in the Lee lab. Financial support is available for well-qualified students from research and university funding sources, as well as by direct application to the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award Program. Contact Prof. Lee for more information.
Prof. Sonny Lee obtained his undergraduate degree from Caltech and his doctorate with Richard Holm at Harvard University, and was a NSF Postdoctoral Fellow with Harry Gray at Caltech. He has served on the faculty of Princeton University (USA) and the University of Waterloo (Canada), and has been the recipient of a Beckman Young Investigator Award and a NSF CAREER Award.
The Lee laboratory at the University of Waterloo is fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including inert atmosphere gloveboxes, filtration-based solvent purification systems, UV-Vis-NIR, diode array UV-Vis, and IR spectrometers, electrochemical analyzers, gas chromatograph, and computational workstations. In addition, the Chemistry Department at Waterloo provides direct access to high-field NMR, EPR, MS, and X-ray diffraction instrumentation. Dr. Lee strives to provide an educational research environment that is stimulating, supportive, and conducive to scientific and personal excellence.