About The Role

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Materials Research Institute (MRI) at Penn State seeks outstanding applicants for an Assistant Research Professor position focused on instrument automation. The position is supported by multiple efforts at Penn State, including the Department of Energy funded 3DFEM2 Energy Frontier Research Center and the National Science Foundation funded LATTICE Cloud Laboratory national facility. The automation of experimentation and data collection is increasingly critical with the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning enabled materials synthesis and characterization. The successful candidate will support the development of new automated synthesis and characterization tools along with training and supporting users of these instruments.

Candidates for this position must have a Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field, a strong record of related research, and experience maintaining and operating thin film deposition equipment. Specific experience with sputter deposition and characterization of ferroelectrics and semiconductors is a plus. This position requires excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills as well as the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment in support of the goals of in-house research and external users.

Position responsibilities

Develop hardware and software solutions to interface with and control measurement equipment to enable unique automated research and sample processing or conditioning.
Instruments span the Materials Science and Engineering Department, Materials Characterization Laboratory (MCL), Radiation Science & Engineering Center (RSEC), and Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA).
Integrate new measurement equipment, temperature controllers, and switching hardware to existing synthesis and processing tools.
Train users on automated deposition tools and instruments in the Materials Science and Engineering Department and electrical characterization laboratory of MCL.
Work with users and senior staff to identify and correct existing acquisition deficiencies and software bugs.
Support automated thin film deposition activities of external users for the LATTICE NSF Cloud Laboratory.
Maintain and enhance the function and stability of current data acquisition software written in the National Instruments CVI development environment.

To be considered for this position, applicants should include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter with a summary of relevant skills and experience and contact information for two professional references (name, position title, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This is a term appointment with possibility of re-funding.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.