Postdoctoral Scholar - Polymer Engineering

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. 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 School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend is seeking qualified applicants for a one-year postdoctoral scholar position, with the possibility of renewal. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with research experience in polymer characterization or polymer processing. The postdoctoral scholar will be responsible for investigating crystallization phenomena related to polymer processing. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Xiaoshi Zhang, Dr. Alicyn Rhoades, and other polymer faculty members at Penn State. Experience with analytical techniques such as thermal analysis and X-ray scattering is required. Hands-on experience with plastic processing, fast scanning calorimetry (FSC), small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), and synchrotron X-ray techniques is highly desirable. Knowledge of programming and machine learning is also strongly preferred. Additionally, candidates must have experience in mentoring undergraduate researchers, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to collaborative research efforts. The researcher will join a highly productive, dynamic research group consisting of faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduates. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of scholars across the Pennsylvania State University system. Please submit a cover letter, CV, and research summary with the application. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Penn State Behrend, is an undergraduate and graduate college of The Pennsylvania State University. Situated on a beautiful, wooded 854-acre hillside campus recognized as a U.S. arboretum, we have four academic schools (Business; Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Science); student residential living; a range of research programs and outreach centers; and a highly successful business and technology park. With 5,000 students in resident instruction and online in college programs offered through Penn State World Campus, we uniquely blend the atmosphere and focus on teaching of a small college with access to the academic, research, and professional development resources of a Big 10, R1 University. Our college is an open laboratory of learning and discovery where students gain real-life experience engaging with business, industry, and community partners. A U.S. News & World Report recognized undergraduate engineering school, the School of Engineering houses ten ABET accredited bachelor's degrees, two ABET accredited associate degrees, four minors, two certificates, and one graduate degree. The school prides itself in rigorous undergraduate education for our 1800 students, emphasizing practical experiences that prepare our graduates for professional practice and graduate school. There are many opportunities for undergraduate students to engage with faculty in funded undergraduate research. More than 95 percent of graduates are employed in field within one year after graduation. The School supports a growing, all-campus interest in research that addresses issues of women’s health, energy & sustainability, and polymer science. Erie, Pennsylvania is a metropolitan area of more than a quarter million people located on the southern shores of Lake Erie, two hours from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. The area’s economy reflects a mix of educational, medical, industrial, tourism, and service activity; the region is home to five colleges and universities in the region, including Penn State Behrend. Northwestern Pennsylvania offers abundant cultural, sports, and recreational opportunities with four seasons of adventure. Summers feature miles of beaches, a range of lake sports, and festivals every weekend, and the winters are made for skiing, skating, and more. It’s easy to get around, housing is affordable, and the cost of living is modest. Erie offers relaxed, comfortable living. 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 well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. 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