Research Scientist I

San Diego State University Research Foundation•San Diego, CA

2d•$7,000

About The Position

Under minimal or general guidance from the principal investigator, the Research Scientist classification is intended to provide a career path for experienced researchers who have attained a doctoral or equivalent degree. The Research Scientist will have experience sufficient to enable the employee to conduct all manner of research such as independently conducting complex scientific research or scholarship. Research scientists are expected to work independently, generate grant funding for projects and publish research results. The Research Scientist may be a principal investigator on grants if he/she holds an SDSU adjunct faculty appointment and meets any additional requirements of his/her academic department.

Requirements

Doctoral or equivalent degree and a minimum of two (2) years of postdoctoral research.
Qualifications generally equivalent to Instructor position in the particular discipline at SDSU

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with terahertz spectroscopy and imaging using fiber lasers and custom optics
Prior experience with thermal, mechanical, dynamic, chemical, and physical properties of nontraditional materials and composites using advanced techniques
Prior experience with laser-induced shock waves in different loading modes, including pressure, shear, and bending, and shock propagation diagnostics using interferometry and velocimetry.
Knowledge of revising LabVIEW algorithms for controlling experimental setups using a broad range of electronics, including oscilloscopes, function generators, amplifiers, etc.
Knowledge of the mechanics of polymers and composites as a function of a broad range of strain rates and loading conditions
Ability to tackle challenging scientific problems and devise viable solutions
Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines defined by the PI and timelines of ongoing and future projects

Responsibilities

Advanced Material Characterization (15%): Design and execute complex experiments to investigate the mechanical behavior of nontraditional materials (such as polymers, composites, or smart materials), focusing on their response to extreme conditions or high strain rates.
Terahertz Spectroscopy & Imaging (30%): Utilize and refine Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and imaging techniques to non-destructively evaluate material properties, detect sub-surface defects, and map internal stress distributions.
Multiscale Modeling Integration (10%): Develop and validate constitutive models that bridge experimental findings with theoretical mechanics, ensuring that empirical lab data accurately inform predictive modeling of complex material systems.
Grant Proposal Leadership (15%): Take a primary role in securing research funding by identifying opportunities, performing preliminary feasibility studies, and authoring high-quality grant proposals for agencies such as the DoE, NSF, DoD, or NASA.
Lab Mentorship & Dissemination (15%): Oversee the daily operations of the laboratory, including the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, while leading the preparation of manuscripts for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
Laboratory Compliance & Safety Management (5%): Serve as the primary Point of Contact (POC) for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, ensuring that all experimental setups, terahertz laser equipment, and chemical handling protocols comply with university and federal safety regulations.
Budget Oversight & Procurement (5%): Manage the strategic procurement of specialized equipment and consumables, including tracking expenditures against active grant budgets and coordinating with SDSU’s administrative offices for contract renewals and vendor relations.
Other duties as assigned (5%) Help with outreach activities and lab tours for potential participants and collaborators Assist in day-to-day operation in the lab, including education, mentorship, research, and collaboration activities Help bridging laboratory innovations with industrial partners

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