• PostDoctoral Associate

    University of Colorado (Boulder, CO)


    PostDoctoral Associate

    **Requisition Number:** 64015

    **Location:** Boulder Colorado

    **Employment Type:** Research Faculty

    **Schedule:** Full Time

    **Posting Close Date:** 16-May-2025

    Date Posted:

    Job Summary

    The MBEAM Laboratory welcomes applications for a PostDoctoral Associate.

     

    CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

     

    Who We Are

     

    Research in the MBEAM Laboratory is focused on gas-phase and gas-surface scattering dynamics that are relevant to hypersonic flows and spacecraft interactions with the residual atmosphere in the low Earth orbital (LEO) environment. There are additional projects aimed at understanding the ablation phenomena of materials in hypersonic flow and LEO environments. The main techniques used for this experimental research are crossed molecular-beams scattering, molecular beam-surface scattering, mass spectrometry, temperature-programmed desorption, resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) with ion velocity-map imaging, surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy. Projects often involve close collaborations with theoreticians or modelers and experimentalists with complementary expertise.

    What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

    + Conduct hyperthermal beam exposures of materials to simulate space environmental effects on materials in low Earth orbit.

    + Prepare and mount samples.

    + Expose samples to required fluence of reactive atoms.

    + Analyze samples with various surface analysis techniques: profilometry, SEM, AFM, XPS.

    + Prepare reports.

    + Conduct molecular beam-surface scattering experiments with a universal crossed molecular beams apparatus.

    + Reactive and inelastic scattering of O, N, O2, N2, or Ar, on materials of relevance to satellites in low Earth orbit or heat shields for atmospheric entry.

    + Analyze data, including the derivation of product translational energy distributions and angular distributions of scattered product flux.

    + Prepare reports as well as manuscripts for publication.

    + Conduct crossed molecular beams experiments using mass spectrometric and laser-based probes of products.

    + Reactive and inelastic scattering of oxygen and nitrogen atoms with O, N, N2, O2, NO, and CO.

    + Analyze data, including the derivation of center-of-mass velocity-flux maps (i.e., differential cross sections).

    + Prepare reports as well as manuscripts for publication.

    + Daily tasks, including but not limited to:

    + Maintenance of vacuum hardware.

    + Maintenance of electronics components, lasers, optical systems, and mass spectrometers.

    + Conducting experiments.

    + Organizing laboratory.

    + Cataloging laboratory equipment.

    + Ordering supplies.

    + Analyzing data using commercial and custom computer programs.

    + Providing support in the preparation of publications and presentations.

    + Interacting with MBEAM Laboratory students, post-docs, and staff, as well as external collaborators, external sponsors, and facilities personnel.

    + Assisting in the training of new members of the MBEAM Laboratory.

     

    What We Can Offer

     

    The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000 annually. Relocation assistance may be available within department guidelines.

     

    Benefits

     

    The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits) , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder (https://www.colorado.edu/about) .

     

    Be Statements

     

    Be excited. Be game-changing. Be Boulder.

    What We Require

    + Ph.D. degree in chemistry, physics, or engineering.

    What You Will Need

    + Aptitude for operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory hardware.

    + Ability and motivation to learn unfamiliar science and engineering topics.

    + Meticulous, careful, and thoughtful at carrying out tasks.

    + Competence with computer-aided design.

    + Modest to strong computer programming ability.

    + Interest in the application of fundamental reaction dynamics to aerospace applications.

    + Sufficient desire and work ethic to accomplish goals.

    + Good writing and presentation skills.

    + Good organizational skills - of both physical objects and thoughts.

    + Ability to work well with others.

    + Sufficient maturity to work independently, represent the lab to others, and mentor less-experienced co-workers.

     

    Special Instructions

    To apply, please submit the following materials as individual files:

    1. **Cover Letter**

    2. **Resume/CV**

    3. _(Optional)_ **Transcripts/Proof of PhD** : If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version (if applicable) as an Optional attachment.

    A minimum of one reference letter will be required from all candidates, and up to three letters will be accepted. Please email your letter(s) to HR Coordinator Melissa Flores at [email protected].

     

    For full consideration, please apply by **May 16, 2025** .

     

    _Note:_ Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/) .

     

    In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

     

    To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/PostDoctoral-Associate/64015 (https://apptrkr.com/6199972)

     

    Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

     

    Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency (https://www.jobelephant.com/)

    jeid-7da1fc6e95779a449ac0d44c99b8ec9d

    The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.