Postdoctoral Scholar in Advanced Crystallography

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.