XRD and Materials Postdoctoral Research Associate

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

4d • $60,000 - $63,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Analytical Resources Core (ARC) at Colorado State University is seeking a postdoctoral associate to support the X-ray Laboratory in its current operations and develop new workflows/services around the acquisition of a new x-ray diffraction (XRD) instrumentation for single crystal and powder experiments. The position’s research component involves developing new workflows for performing diffuse scattering and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis on a new acquired D8 Venture SCXRD instrument and Anton Paar XRDynamic 500 XRD instrument. Research will be conducted under the supervision of ARC x-ray lab manager, Dr. Ethan Crace, and collaboration with Chemistry Prof. Jamie Neilson. The position also includes a service component where the candidate will aid the ARC x-ray lab manager with management of the x-ray facility including but not limited to: instrument maintenance, overseeing day-to-day operations, training/assisting users, and performing analysis of samples submitted to the ARC.

Requirements

• Applicant must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.
• Pre-employment Background Check needed given position’s access to secure laboratories and confidential information.
• Applicant must be able to push ~350lbs LN2 dewars through laboratory spaces.
• Candidates must be comfortable with working around instruments that produce ionizing radiation and strong magnetic fields.
• Candidate must be able to safely work around and handle compressed gases, cryogens, vacuum equipment, movable/motorized mechanical components, and hazardous/toxic materials.
• The candidate must be comfortable with occasionally working in proximity to electrical circuits.
• Candidate will occasionally be required to lift/move heavy equipment and work in confined spaces (including crouching or kneeling).
• The candidate will routinely have to manipulate small mechanical parts (<1 cm) or samples (<1 mm) with the aid of specialized tools.
• PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, Physics, or similar physical science discipline is required.
• Familiarity with x-ray diffraction instrumentation, basic experimental and analytical techniques, and ionizing radiation safety.
• Experience with either powder or single crystal x-ray diffraction data collection and analysis.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to operate X-ray diffraction instrumentation, including but not limited to: powder-XRD, thin-film XRD, and single crystal XRD.
• Familiarity with Bruker and Anton Paar XRD equipment.
• Experience with data collection and analysis software for powder diffraction (such as DIFFRAC.EVA, TOPAS, and XRDdrive).
• Experience with data collection and analysis software for single crystal diffraction (such as Bruker APEX4, Mercury, CrystalMaker, etc.).
• Experience with advanced single crystal analysis (sever disorder - involving main residue and/or solvent, twinning, and/or modulated structures).
• Experience with total scattering techniques such as diffuse scattering from single crystals or pair distribution function (PDF) function analysis.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, especially related to customer support and documentation of research or laboratory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Develop experimental workflows, SOPs, and guides for the acquisition of total scattering data on single crystal and powder samples.
• Independently perform x-ray diffraction/scattering experiments on research samples (personal and user submitted).
• Train and assist x-ray instrument users on equipment procedures and data analysis.
• Use written and oral communication with colleagues and customers to complete research projects and report results clearly.
• Document all experiments and research in a organized research notebook.
• Perform maintenance on x-ray instrumentation and maintain a log of all activities.

Benefits

• Robust benefits package
• Collaborative atmosphere
• Focus on work-life balance

What This Job Offers

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