Postdoctoral Associate 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.Full Consideration Date: October 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM (MT).Target Hire Date: April 1, 2027
Essential Job Duties:
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 an organized research notebook.
Perform maintenance on x-ray instrumentation and maintain a log of all activities.
Supervision:
No positions will directly report to this position.
Conditions of Employment:
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.
The 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 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 (
