Research Scientist - Advanced Science Research Center

RFCUNY Research Foundation of the City University of New York•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at CUNY is a hub for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, physics, materials, engineering, and life sciences. It aims to redefine scientific discovery and innovation to address societal challenges. The ASRC provides advanced equipment and staff support, including core facilities in Nanofabrication, Imaging, and Surface Science. The Nanoscience Initiative within the ASRC focuses on creating technological innovations in biomedicine, sustainable materials, and green energy. The ASRC CAT is a Center for Advanced Technology that connects industry and academia, offering professional development, entrepreneurship workshops, and internships to foster STEM careers. The Research Scientist will report to the Initiative Director and collaborate with Core Facilities Directors to ensure the effective operation, maintenance, and management of these facilities. The role involves enhancing the organization and infrastructure, expanding the user pool, pursuing external funding, and ensuring the facilities remain up-to-date. The position also includes a workforce development component, leading training and teaching courses, and supporting academic and industry users.

Requirements

Ph.D. in area(s) of expertise or equivalent and a record of several years of successful research experience.
Clear evidence of ability to perform research independently or collaborate on research projects.
Significant scholarship in their field.
Ability to advise and/or oversee the direct work of others.
Commitment to service in a university setting.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in science or technical discipline closely related with at least one of the Core Facilities (nanofabrication is strongly preferred).
Five years technical experience with nanofabrication, electron microscopy, surface science, ideally in a user facility.
Experience in fundraising from government agencies and industry.
Experience in supervising engineers, technicians and scientists.
Excellent leadership and project management skills with ability to foster teamwork.
Exceptional managerial, technical, analytical, and evaluative and follow-through skills in a research arm of a higher education institution or government laboratory.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to write, speak, and present effectively to a wide variety of audiences including academics and industry representatives.
Ability to collaborate with peers and work effectively with diverse stakeholders at various organizational levels.
A firm commitment to CUNY's mission of creating access to excellent higher education for a diverse urban population.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and meet tight deadlines.
Ability to think strategically.
Strong attention to details.
Strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Develops a clear understanding of the mission, needs and goals of each of the three Core Facilities of the Nanoscience Initiative.
Strengthens coordination and integration across the Nanoscience Core Facilities, including alignment with CAT activities and related translational initiatives.
Contributes advanced technical expertise, particularly in surface and materials characterization.
Collaborates with ASRC, CUNY, and external researchers from both academia and industry and actively seeks new collaborative research projects and participates in ongoing ASRC research projects, where appropriate.
Leads or co-leads collaborative and interdisciplinary external funding opportunities relating to expanding user pool, outreach, technology transfer from federal (NSF ART, NSF Test Bed, NSF NQNI), city (NYCEDC) and state funding (NYSTAR).
Seeks funding to support research activities and industry/academic partnerships.
Assists and/or leads with the preparation of grant applications, presentations, publications and progress reports.
Leads and develops graduate and undergraduate research training and teaching courses at the ASRC in the areas of surface science, imaging, and nanofabrication.
Enhance the student and trainee experience through hands-on training and mentorship linked to facility use.
Supports academic and industry users in understanding and effectively using ASRC core facilities.
Advises and trains internal and external users, with varying degrees of experience, in experimental design, sample preparation, and data interpretation; assists with refining and adapting methodologies to fit specific experimental requirements.
Supports industry engagement and workforce development programs such as WH-Green Tech Labs.
Contributes to dissemination of results through workshops, seminars, and publications.
Provides advanced technical expertise, particularly in surface and materials characterization.
Collaborates with research faculty in the core facilities to support the development of robust strategic research and business plans, set targets, and implement means to adhere to these plans and targets.
Implements measures to maximize equipment usage and minimize down time.
Ensures consistent implementation, and continuous improvement of, standard operating and control procedures for all equipment in the core facilities.
Assists with negotiation of new equipment purchases and contracts, as needed.
Assists facility managers in operation and maintenance of scientific equipment in the Nanoscience Initiative Facilities. This includes training users, preventative maintenance, SOP development, and, where appropriate, advising on measures to maximize usage and minimize downtime, and implementing control procedures.
Works with the Communications and Marketing team to create promotional media and maintain the website, highlighting each of the Nanoscience Core Facilities.
Works with the Facilities Managers to organize workshops, user meetings, and other forums to assist community building.
Creates and maintains relationships with user groups and other institutional bodies, as needed, including travel to these entities for in person relationship building.
Supervises staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.