MCL Assistant Research Professor –SEM Microscopist

Penn State University • University Park, IL

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About The Position

The Materials Characterization Lab (MCL) is a fully staffed, open-access analytical research facility within Penn State’s Materials Research Institute (MRI). MCL’s mission is to enable world-class research while educating the next generation of highly qualified researchers. The laboratory houses more than $25M in advanced instrumentation and is supported by 20+ interdisciplinary scientists and engineers who are passionate about education and collaborative problem solving. Each year, MCL supports over 1,000 users from more than 40 Penn State departments, as well as 100+ external organizations, including industry partners, government laboratories, and other academic institutions.

MCL is filling an Assistant Research Professor position, seeking a PhD-level scientist to join the SEM–FIB group, where they will play a key role in microscopy education, user support, and research innovation. The microscopy lab currently includes three field-emission SEMs, one conventional SEM, two Ga-based FIB systems, and associated support equipment. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with existing microscopy staff to support user training, instrument operations, and research activities across this instrumentation suite.

Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in electron microscopy, with strong hands-on experience in SEM (e.g., imaging and microanalysis workflows such as EDS; experience with FIB is a plus).
• Evidence of success working in a collaborative, service-oriented research environment (e.g., supporting multiple projects/users, coordinating across disciplines, and meeting timelines).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to train and mentor users ranging from new graduate students to experienced industrial partners.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or training materials for complex laboratory equipment.
• Experience with instrument upkeep and vacuum/filament/consumables maintenance and performance optimization.
• Experience in a thin-film, nanomaterials, or microelectronics-adjacent research environment; familiarity with complementary methods (e.g., Raman, XRD, lithography, AFM, XPS) is beneficial.
• Demonstrated record of teaching, mentoring, or outreach (formal TA experience, workshop instruction, or curriculum development).
• Evidence of safety leadership (e.g., safety committee participation, lab management roles, hazardous process SOPs, or inspection/incident readiness).
• Comfort with data analysis/automation (e.g., Python, MATLAB) to improve workflows and reproducibility.
• Experience operating Thermo-Fisher instrumentation, specifically Axia, Apreo, and Verios platforms.

Responsibilities

• Microscopy user support and training across SEM and FIB platforms, including method selection, sample preparation strategy, data acquisition, and interpretation.
• Development and implementation of new SEM/FIB-enabled experimental techniques (e.g., advanced imaging modalities, analytical workflows, and/or cross-platform correlative approaches).
• Support of internal and external research projects (industrial and academic), including experimental design, execution, documentation, and delivery of high-quality results.
• Instrument stewardship in collaboration with the SEM–FIB team (e.g., performance verification, routine maintenance coordination, best-practice development, and continuous improvement of reliability and throughput).
• Participation in the strategic planning and implementation of a forward-looking vision for SEM–FIB capabilities at Penn State.
• Microscopy education leadership, including serving as the primary instructor for a 1-credit graduate-level Materials Science & Engineering course in scanning electron microscopy, and contributing to broader MCL training offerings.
• Mentoring and professional development leadership, including mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff users; modeling best practices in experimental design, data integrity, documentation, and laboratory culture; and helping develop the next generation of microscopy practitioners.
• Laboratory-Wide and Strategic Responsibilities In addition to microscopy-specific duties, this position will have laboratory-wide responsibilities related to the management of multi-technique analytical projects. These projects are frequently initiated by researchers external to Penn State and require broad characterization knowledge to: scope and quote analytical work, coordinate multi-instrument workflows, execute projects efficiently and safely, and deliver high-quality written reports and results. The successful candidate will also contribute to strategic initiatives across MCL, particularly those related to education, training, and outreach. As such, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, engaging, and impactful content for inclusive audiences.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree