SYSTER Post-Doctoral Associate - Military Veterans

Position Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher

Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2024

Employer & Funding: The employer for this position is the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The funding for this position comes from the National Science Foundation's Synchrotron Earth and Environmental Science (SEES) facility program. As a subaward to SEES, this position was created to focus on soft and tender X-ray spectromicroscopy for a project called the SYnergy of Soft and Tender X-rays for Earth Research (SYSTER).

Location of Residence & Workplace: Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA

Application Date: For full consideration, apply by August 31, 2024

Position Description: The Post-Doctoral Researcher will be supervised and mentored by Dr. Brandy Toner (University of Minnesota), Dr. Sarick Matzen (University of Illinois) and Dr. David Shapiro (Advanced Light Source). The person hired will focus on the physical and chemical properties of aquatic colloids and particles and have the following responsibilities (estimated percentages of time on tasks provided):

â- Conduct original research on the interactions of minerals and organic matter in aquatic systems using X-ray spectromicroscopy and complementary approaches (50%);
â- Build new collaborations with SEES users is support of the SEES and SYSTER programs (10%);
â- Collaborate with technical experts to inform the design and early scientific commissioning of future X-ray spectromicroscopy instruments (15%);
â- Prepare research findings for peer review publication (15%);
â- Co-develop workshop and related online resources to support Earth and environmental science users in the use of the Advanced Light Source's X-ray microscopes (5%);
â- Communicate regularly with supervisors, mentors, and project collaborators (5%)

Required Qualifications:

â- Ph.D. in aquatic, soil, or marine chemistry, low-temperature / environmental geochemistry, or related discipline;
â- Prior experience applying synchrotron approaches to the study of natural materials;
â- Demonstrated scientific publication record;
â- Demonstrated effective communication skills in a variety of settings (daily workplace interactions, project planning and outcomes, collaborative interactions, written reports, and presentations);
â- Ability to work with and maintain professional relationships with scientific collaborators and co-workers;
â- Ability to manage competing priorities and provide quality work on schedule;
â- Excellent organization and problem solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

â- Prior experience with synchrotron X-ray microscopy, ptychography, or advanced electron microscopy techniques;
â- Prior experience with development of training materials, leading workshops, mentoring, or outreach activities;
â- Ability to write and maintain software packages.

Salary and Benefits: Base annual salary in year 1 is $75,000 and depends on prior experience.

Duration: Appointment is 1 year full-time and renewable for a 2nd year upon satisfactory progress.