About this position
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Advanced Crystallography NSF’s
- ChemMatCARS, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of
- Chicago
- About this Unit:NSF’s ChemMatCARS, affiliated with the Pritzker School
- of Molecular Engineering (PME), the University of Chicago and funded
- by NSF, is a national user facility for frontier research in chemistry
- and materials science using synchrotron x-rays. It is located at the
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The mission of
- ChemMatCARS is to develop and operate world-class synchrotron x-ray
- facilities in the areas of small-molecule crystallography, liquid
- interface scattering, and anomalous small and wide-angle scattering to
- serve the needs of ChemMatCARS users.
- Job Summary:NSF’s ChemMatCARS, located at Sector 15 of the Advanced
- Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), and the
- University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (https://chemmatcars.uchicago.edu/)
- invite applications for a motivated postdoctoral researcher in
- advanced crystallography. This position involves conducting
- experimental research using state-of-the-art crystallography
- instruments at ChemMatCARS. The successful candidate will have access
- to world-class facilities at the University of Chicago and Argonne
- National Laboratory. Recent upgrades to the APS and ChemMatCARS
- provide a more brilliant X-ray beam and enable new capabilities in
- crystallography, including Small Molecule Serial Crystallography,
- Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure (DAFS) below 5 keV, and Quantum
- Crystallography. The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to
- utilize and help develop these capabilities. ChemMatCARS specializes
- in characterizing molecular confirmation, element’s oxidation state in
- the molecule crystal/DAFS, H-bonding/Quantum Crystallography with
- relevance to chemistry, materials science, biology, and chemical
- engineering. The successful applicant must satisfy the requirements
- for access to Argonne National Laboratory.
- Primary Responsibilities
- Develop an independent scientific project in advanced crystallography under the guidance of Dr. Yu-Sheng Chen.
- Conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop necessary analysis tools.
- Present research findings through peer-reviewed publications and at conferences and workshops.
- Assist scientific staff in developing new experimental capabilities in advanced crystallography.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in material science, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field with experience in diffraction experiments.
Required Skills
- Strong experimental skills and initiative to develop new experiments.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively while pursuing an individual research project.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with synchrotron-based diffraction techniques.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C++, or Fortran for data analysis and tool development.
Project Duration
- Start date: As soon as possible.
- Initial appointment: Two years, with the possibility of one-year extension.
- Application Process Interested candidates should apply by January 5th,
- 2026, by sending the following to Dr. Yu-Sheng Chen
- (yushengchen@uchicago.edu):
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of research interests
- Three recommendation letters
- NSF’s ChemMatCARS, funded by the National Science Foundation, serves
- as a National User Facility providing experimental infrastructure to
- investigate dynamic and structural properties relevant to chemical,
- materials, and physical sciences (https://chemmatcars.uchicago.edu).
- Additional information on benefits and postdoctoral positions at the
- University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering can
- be found at:
- https://pme.uchicago.edu/academics/postdoctoral-researchers. ;
- We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic
- community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and
- encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals,
- and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement,
- and exchange. The University's Statements on Diversity are at
- https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity. ;
- The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal
- Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on
- the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
- identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with
- a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other
- protected classes under the law. For additional information please see
- the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination:
- https://www.uchicago.edu/non-discrimination. ;
- Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the
- application process should call 773-834-3988 or email
- equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.
How to apply
- Read the full advert on the source site — it carries the authoritative terms.
- Email the contact below with your CV and a short, specific message. See Emailing Professors.
- Prepare your SOP, CV, transcripts and referees before the deadline.
- Apply through the university's own portal. Never pay a fee to a third party.