About this position
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar: X-ray Scattering Studies of Liquid
- Interface Science and/or Biomembranes at NSF’s ChemMatCARS, Pritzker
- School of Molecular Engineering
- 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: The successful candidate will have access to world-class
- facilities at the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at
- Chicago, and Argonne National Laboratory. The APS and ChemMatCARS
- Advanced Photon Source have undergone major upgrades which are nearing
- completion. As a result, the X-ray beam is more brilliant and
- ChemMatCARS will have new capabilities for studying liquid interfacial
- science, including absorption spectroscopy, biomembranes, and
- heterogeneities. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to utilize
- and assist in the development of these new capabilities. NSF’s
- ChemMatCARS specializes in measuring molecular ordering and
- element-specific coordination of molecular interfacial structures
- relevant to diverse fields such as chemistry, material sciences,
- molecular biology, biochemistry, and chemical engineering.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop a scientific project in liquid surfaces and interface with guidance from Mark Schlossman and Wei Bu.
- Measure and analyze data, developing necessary analysis tools.
- Present research findings through manuscripts in journals and presentations at workshops and conferences.
- Assist scientific staff in developing new capabilities in liquid interface experiments.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have or be about to obtain a recent Ph.D. in experimental studies of soft or condensed matter physics, physical chemistry, chemical engineering or a closely related field.
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 liquid interfacial science.
- Experience with synchrotron X-ray scattering or Neutron scattering, including studies of liquid interfaces or biomembranes.
- Proficiency in using and developing data analysis tools using programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C++, or Fortran.
Project Duration
- The expected starting date of the position is October 1, 2026
- The position will be offered for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.
- Application Process Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by
- sending the following documents to Dr. Wei Bu (weibu@uchicago.edu) and
- Dr. Binhua Lin (blin@uchicago.edu) of the University of Chicago and
- Prof. Mark Schlossman (schloss@uic.edu) of the University of Illinois
- Chicago:
- 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.