Postdoctoral Scholar: X-ray Scattering Studies of Liquid Surfaces and Interfaces

Job Summary:

NSF’s ChemMatCARS, located at Sector 15 of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), and University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (https://chemmatcars.uchicago.edu/) has an immediate opening for a motivated postdoctoral researcher in the area of liquid surfaces and interfaces. This position involves conducting experimental research utilizing the liquid interface scattering instrument at ChemMatCARS.

The successful candidate will have access to world-class facilities at the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Argonne National Laboratory. The APS and ChemMatCARS Advanced Photon Source have undergone major upgrades which are nearing completion. As a result, the X-ray beam is more brilliant and ChemMatCARS will have new capabilities for studying liquid interfacial science, including absorption spectroscopy, biomembranes, and heterogeneities. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to utilize and assist in the development of these new capabilities. NSF’s ChemMatCARS specializes in measuring molecular ordering and element-specific coordination of molecular interfacial structures relevant to diverse fields such as chemistry, material sciences, biology, and chemical engineering.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop a scientific project in liquid surfaces and interface with guidance from Mark Schlossman and Wei Bu.
• Measure and analyze data, developing necessary analysis tools.
• Present research findings through manuscripts in journals and presentations at workshops and conferences.
• Assist scientific staff in developing new capabilities in liquid interface experiments.

Qualifications:

• Applicants should have or be about to obtain a recent Ph.D. in experimental studies of soft or condensed matter physics, physical chemistry, chemical engineering or a closely related field.

Required Skills:

• Strong experimental skills and the interest and initiative to develop new experiments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for presenting research findings.
• Ability to work in a scientific team, while pursuing an individual project.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with liquid interfacial science.
• Experience with synchrotron X-ray scattering, including liquid interfacial scattering.
• Proficiency in using and developing data analysis tools using programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C , or Fortran.

Project Duration:

• The expected starting date of the position is June 1, 2024.
• The position will be offered for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Application Process:

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by April 1 by sending the following documents to Dr. Wei Bu (weibu@uchicago.edu) of the University of Chicago and Prof. Mark Schlossman (schloss@uic.edu) of the University of Illinois at Chicago:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Statement of research interests.
• Three recommendation letters.

NSF’s ChemMatCARS, funded by the National Science Foundation, serves as a National User Facility, providing experimental infrastructure to investigate dynamic and structural properties of interest to chemical, materials, and physical scientists within the United States and abroad (see https://chemmatcars.uchicago.edu). The University of Chicago is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Additional information on benefits and being a postdoc at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering can be found at: https://pme.uchicago.edu/academics/postdoctoral-researchers.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University's Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination: https://www.uchicago.edu/non-discrimination.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $56,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Lemont, IL 60439: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lemont, IL 60439

Salary : $56,000 - $65,000