User Facilities Director for MATRIX-MIP and Facility Manager for Hard Materials Lab (HML)

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

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About The Position

The University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks a staff member to provide scientific expertise for MATRIX-MIP (Materials AI and Transformation through Research Infrastructure for eXtreme environments) and the Hard Materials Lab (HML). MATRIX-MIP is a newly established NSF research center focused on developing structural materials for extreme environments. The center will be housed in HML, a new core facility of the Wisconsin Centers for Nanoscale Technology (WCNT), launching alongside MATRIX-MIP.

During the startup phase, the successful candidate will help establish the facility through laboratory design, equipment evaluation and acquisition, and development of user training programs. Ongoing work will support internal and external users of MATRIX-MIP and HML through training, technical assistance, and operational support. The position will also help ensure optimal instrument performance through routine maintenance and calibration, instrument repair, and development of best practices and training materials.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of laboratory experience focused on bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another related discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in bulk synthesis and characterization of structural materials in extreme conditions, notably high-temperature structural environments.
• Experience in metallic and/or ceramic additive manufacturing.
• Experience in primary processing of materials and scale-up.
• Experience with laboratory design, including space needs, facilities planning, and safety considerations.
• Experience with instrument maintenance and repair.
• Experience in user training or development of instructional materials.
• Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Help establish the facility through laboratory design, equipment evaluation and acquisition, and development of user training programs.
• Provide user training, technical assistance, and operational support to internal and external users of MATRIX-MIP and HML.
• Ensure optimal instrument performance through routine maintenance and calibration, instrument repair, and development of best practices and training materials.
• Help prepare reports of design status and/or technical research for professional organizations, government or sponsor review boards, and design reviews.
• Provide expertise in an area of discipline and use universally accepted computer design applications for modeling, design analysis, and fabrication efforts.
• Support research and development of new processes, techniques, and approaches for advanced instrumentation systems.
• Conceptualize, specify, design, construct, integrate, operate, test, calibrate, document, and improve instrumentation systems.
• Support coordination of project activities.
• Help identify problems, issues, and needs, and provide solution options to support decision-making.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Tax-advantaged savings accounts.
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System pension fund.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level