Materials Analysis Postdoctoral Fellow

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago

Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO

Deadline: 08 Nov 2021

Posting Details

Working Title	Materials Analysis Postdoctoral Fellow
Position Location	Fort Collins, CO
Research Professional Position	Yes
Posting Number	202101209AP
Position Type	Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title	Postdoctoral Fellows
Number of Vacancies	1
Work Hours/Week	40
Proposed Annual Salary Range	$46,000 - $50,000
Employee Benefits	Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date	01/01/2022
Position End Date (if temporary)	01/01/2024
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on	11/08/2021
Description of Work Unit	The postdoctoral fellow will have responsibilities in the Materials and Molecular Analysis (MMA) Center of the Analytical Resources Core (ARC), an Institutional Core in the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at CSU. The mission of the ARC is to enable cutting-edge STEM research and development programs by providing access to analytical instrumentation, expert guidance, research training and services to CSU and the broader community. We strive to build analytical instrument capabilities that exceed the normal resources of individual research programs, and make those technologies available as a shared resource. We also aim to provide an environment rich in expertise and educational resources, and to foster collaboration across the CSU community and beyond. ARC-MMA works closely with other ARC Centers, including Imaging and Surface Science (ISS) and Bioanalysis and Omics (BIO). ARC-MMA works closely with researches at CSU, from other academic institutions, with governmental and non-profits, as well as with corporate researchers.
Position Summary	This position will be dedicated to supporting and advancing services in the areas of materials analysis, including magnetic, thermal, electrical and thermodynamic properties, and electron paramagnetic resonance. This includes training of new users, consulting, experiment design, selecting methods of analysis, interpretation of data, and recommending new equipment as necessary. Other duties involve upkeep, maintenance and repairs of instruments in this laboratory. The position requires a terminal degree in Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field by the position start date. Ideal candidates will have experience with materials science and characterization techniques including but not limited to: magnetometry (e.g., use of a MPMS3), electrical and thermodynamic properties (e.g., use of a PPMS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This position will have opportunities in both collaborative and independent research supporting materials analysis knowledge. The position reports to the ARC-MMA Manager of the X-ray Diffraction / Materials Science Laboratories.
Required Job Qualifications	Terminal degree in Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field by position start date At least one year experience with materials analysis and characterization techniques Capable of communicating scientific concepts on a variety of intellectual levels (i.e., students, faculty, and others with non-science or science backgrounds)
Preferred Job Qualifications	Evidence of having worked effectively with interdisciplinary groups to advance science as it relates to CSU’s commitment to Principles of Community Experience training and supervising undergraduate and graduate students with an emphasis on instrumentation use and materials analysis Good communication skills, especially related to customer support Experience (or perceived experience) with writing and evaluating SOPs Knowledge of experiment design, with an emphasis on effectively designing materials analysis experiments for students and other users of the ARC. Ability to troubleshoot challenges students may have when analyzing materials via different materials analysis techniques Background in materials science and characterization techniques including but not limited to: magnetometry (e.g., use of a MPMS3), electrical and thermodynamic properties (e.g., use of a PPMS), electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Knowledge of compressors and compressor maintenance would be beneficial Commitment to practice the Colorado State University Principles of Community (https://oeo.colostate.edu/colorado-state-university-principles-of-community/)
Diversity Statement	Ability to advance the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category	Instrument operation and management
Duty/Responsibility	This position manages all aspects of the operations and maintenance in the Materials Analysis Laboratory and reports to the laboratory manager. Provide magnetic and physical property measurements by using the Quantum Design MPMS3 and PPMS, and Bruker EPR with ColdEdge cryostat. Conduct thermal property measurements using TA DSC and TGA instruments. This position will also assist in maintaining the helium recovery system (QD-ATL/ATP, and compressors). Responsibilities on all instruments will include consulting, experiment design, selecting methods of analysis, operations, interpretation of data, and recommending new equipment as necessary. Duties include oversight and management of work in this area, “growing” the facility user base, basic record keeping, logging and accounting in the laboratory, basic maintenance, stocking of necessary supplies to operate and maintain the laboratory. Record keeping is essential both for demonstrating use to NSF and other funding agencies, and for billing purposes. Position keeps detailed records on each instrument organized by Faculty Advisor or responsible billing party and report monthly totals to the Center Director. Periodically, renew contacts with sales representatives and other industrial representatives from the major vendors.
Percentage Of Time	35

Job Duty Category	Teaching and Training
Duty/Responsibility	Over time the position will be expected to train graduate and undergraduate students on data collection and analysis on different materials analysis instruments. Such instrument training may also require helping students troubleshoot and address problems that may arise with the instrument during student use. You will also be expected to develop or update instrument SOPs. The position may also be involved with our academics program, especially with respect to supervising graduate teaching assistants in laboratory course work and demonstrations, and assisting in ARC short courses. The position may be invited to lecture on instrument or laboratory related topics.
Percentage Of Time	30

Job Duty Category	Career Development
Duty/Responsibility	The position will be expected to become trained on any instrumentation in the Materials Analysis Laboratory outside of their current skill set to aid in training and supervising students. They will also be expected to stay up-to-date on developments in their area of scientific expertise, including literature of interest. This will include attending a national or international meeting of choice benefiting the expertise and responsibilities of this position, with meeting specifics to be negotiated with ARC supervisors.
Percentage Of Time	5

Job Duty Category	Staff Supervision
Duty/Responsibility	Graduate student teaching assistants may be periodically assigned to your area. Also, undergraduate student interns may be identified that will be helpful to you in your laboratory. The position must be prepared to train and mentor them, and to assign them work so that their career is enhanced and effort is multiplied.
Percentage Of Time	5

Job Duty Category	User supervision
Duty/Responsibility	This position will be required to supervise students using ARC instrumentation during Chemistry, Materials Science Engineering and other graduate and undergraduate courses or ARC Short Courses. Duties will range from simply being on hand if a student has a question regarding data collection or analysis, to running the instrument for the student. Supervision will also entail providing students with appropriate safety training and enforcement of safety protocols.
Percentage Of Time	10

Job Duty Category	Research Collaborations
Duty/Responsibility	The position will seek to develop collaborative research opportunities utilizing materials instrumentation within the ARC through collaborations with CSU faculty and staff, vendors, and external industry contacts. The position will work with Chemistry and other materials science faculty at CSU, as well as vendors, on research projects to develop new approaches in sample analysis and characterization strategies for materials research. Such collaborations may also entail training and supervising students within Chemistry or other programs on campus. The specific area(s) of focus will depend on the research interests of the individual holding the position as well as the specific research partners. It is expected that these projects will be brought to fruition via peer-reviewed publications, vendor application notes, and/or the creation of intellectual property (IP) in the form of invention disclosures and patents. Responsibility for writing and editing manuscripts or disclosures resulting from this work will also lie with this position.
Percentage Of Time	5

Job Duty Category	Decision Making
Duty/Responsibility	This position will require both an eagerness to perform collaborative and support work as well as an ability to operate independently to advance our materials analysis services. Independent decision making will require the PD to use sound judgement to decide the best path forward to effectively support the project given the existing budget constraints. This will require the PD to assess the appropriateness of various analytical approaches based on previous experience and familiarity with alternate techniques. In addition, the position will involve troubleshooting and fixing any instrument problems that arise. It is expected that the position will lead such efforts with minimal input from supervisor and independently troubleshoot instruments or seek out assistance from service engineers and make decisions on how to proceed. This position also requires regularly working with ARC staff, students, and faculty to schedule ARC instrument time for research and course use. This may involve scheduling specific times with ARC staff for training and oversight of students during instrument use, working with ARC staff and CSU faculty to schedule several students with multiple instrument sessions for a course throughout the semester, and potentially aiding or training students during their data collection and analysis. It may be necessary to make changes adaptively, based on specific research projects and/or instrument availability as well as to collect materials samples from students to personally analyze and troubleshoot the characterization process prior to students completing their own analysis for their assignments.
Percentage Of Time	10

Special Instructions to Applicants	For full consideration, please upload a cover letter, resume or CV, and the contact information for three professional references by 11:59 PM on 11/08/2021. References will only be contacted after a phone/video interview, and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment	Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact	[email protected]
EEO Statement	Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] . The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] . The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] . Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement	Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.