Postdoctoral Fellow - Laser Diagnostics

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: about 1 month ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 10 Apr 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Postdoctoral Fellow - Laser Diagnostics
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202300526AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Postdoctoral Fellows
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $55,000-$75,000
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 06/01/2023
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/10/2023
Description of Work Unit
As one of the nation’s top public research universities, Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a land-grant institution, with enrollment of more than 33,000 students. CSU offers 76 undergraduate degree programs, 114 graduate degree programs, 21 professional master’s degree programs, and a Professional Veterinary Medicine program. CSU’s world-class research and scholarship attract more than $400 million in research funding annually, putting the university among top federally funded public universities without a medical school. Colorado’s Front Range is a high-tech hub with companies such as Woodward, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, IBM, Intel, Keysight Technologies, Broadcomm, AMD, Xilinx, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman located in or near Fort Collins.
Fort Collins is an attractive community of approximately 170,000 located along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality of life measures by numerous publications; see https://www .fcgov.com/visitor/awards for the complete list. The city offers a pleasant climate with excellent schools and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. For more information on Fort Collins, check out the City’s website: www.visitftcollins.com.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at CSU offers a curriculum that integrates exceptional classroom learning and in-depth engineering practice for an unparalleled educational experience. Made up of 44 faculty members, 12 staff members, 1,000 undergraduate students, and 125 graduate students, ME is one of the largest departments on CSU’s campus. State-of-the-art labs provide unmatched, hands-on experience to help undergraduate students conceptualize industry environments, and $11M in annual research funding provide groundbreaking opportunities focusing on health, materials, and energy, for graduate students to enhance their educational concentrations. Award-winning faculty offer industry and academic perspective, and equip each graduate with the tools needed to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. The Mechanical Engineering program at CSU includes majors in both Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering-Mechanical Engineering; both curriculum combine classroom learning with engineering practice. The Department recently added specialties for Aerospace Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, offering undergraduate concentrations, a graduate certificate, a Master of Engineering (M.E.) with specialization, and a Master of Science (M.S.) with a specialized master’s thesis. Our goal is to give our graduates the engineering skills they need to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. Our students are integral members of our research groups and their thesis and dissertation topics focus on cutting-edge research. Further information about the Department can be found at www.engr.colostate.edu/me/.
Position Summary
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Laser Diagnostics for Engineering and Plasma Applications. The selected individual will work with Dr. Azer Yalin at the Powerhouse Energy Campus and (in some cases) at the Engineering Research Center.
The selected individual will communicate and work with team members to:
  • Perform research on multi-pulse and preionization controlled laser plasmas, including setting up the laser plasma testbeds and implementing laser and optical diagnostics (e.g., Raman scattering, Thomson scattering, optical emission spectroscopy).
  • Develop and apply laser diagnostic techniques in support of electric propulsion research on plasma thrusters. Diagnostics include two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence (TALIF) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy.
  • Develop and apply diagnostics in support of related projects including optical detection of atmospheric gases in support of air quality measuerments.
  • Mentor undergraduate and graduate students supporting research.
  • Support preparation of reports and publications, and interact with sponsors and collaborators.
    		•
    Required Job Qualifications
    • PhD in engineering field, with a strong background in laser diagnostics methods;
    • Experience with data analysis and interpretation;
    • Specific experience with at least 2 of the following: 1) laser fluorescence or scattering experiments, 2) laser induced plasmas, 3) vacuum systems and plasma thrusters (electric propulsion devices);
    • Demonstrated ability to produce peer-reviewed journal publications;
    • Strong verbal and written communication skills, and
    • The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the start date. Mechanical Engineering will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
    Preferred Job Qualifications
    • Experience with Thomson scattering;
    • Experience with Hall thrusters, ion thrusters or ion sources;
    • Experience with developing custom laser sources; and
    • Background in plasma or combustion theory.
    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 Research and Experimental Work
    Duty/Responsibility
    • Develop and implement laser diagnostic methods to advance the understanding of laser induced plasmas, including studying non-equilibrium in these systems via detailed spatially and temporally resolved optical diagnostics, as well as plasma-induced lensing in these systems with goal of leveraging these effects to tailor the resulting laser plasmas.
    • Support related experiments with laser diagnostics including application of Two Photon Absorption Laser Induced Fluorescence (TALIF) and Cavity-Ring Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) to study electric propulsion plasma thrusters (e.g., ion and Hall thrusters) used for satellites and space exploration. Also support projects using laser diagnostics for air quality measurements.
    Percentage Of Time 75%
    Job Duty Category Document and Disseminate Results
    Duty/Responsibility
    • Write manuscripts to documentresearch findings;
    • Attend research team meetings or meetings with stakeholders to discuss appropriate methods and disseminate results; and
    • Support grant proposal reporting and future submissions by compiling data and summarizing results.
    Percentage Of Time 25%

    Application Details


    Special Instructions to Applicants
    Individuals interested in this position must submit a cover letter, which addresses how professional experiences align with required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume or CV, writing samples, unofficial transcripts, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
    Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
    Search Contact Azer Yalin, azer.yalin@colostate.edu
    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, titleix@colostate.edu .
    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, oeo@colostate.edu .
    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, oeo@colostate.edu .
    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 for the finalist before a final offer. 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.

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