Postdoctoral Scholar - Materials Science And Engineering

Postdoctoral Scholar Position

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is seeking a postdoctoral scholar. The final candidate will work in close collaboration with our polymer crystallization team, including Prof. Ralph Colby and Profs. Alicyn Rhoades and Xiaoshi Zhang at Penn State, Erie-Behrend. The candidate will need considerable expertise in polymer melt rheology, flow birefringence, characterization and modelling of crystallization kinetics with and without prior shear flow. Being able to properly analyze birefringence data and 2-dimensional X-ray scattering from sheared semicrystalline polymers is required for consideration for this position. The candidate must also supervise about ten undergraduate researchers currently working on this project.

Job duties and responsibilities:

• Plan and perform experiments on flow-induced chain alignment and subsequent crystallization of sheared polymer melts.
• Supervise many undergraduate researchers.
• Analyze data and train undergraduate students to analyze data.
• Report biweekly to SKF scientists.
• Write papers and proposals for new funding.

Must have a Ph.D. in: Materials Science and Engineering or Chemical Engineering.

Should have experience in: Birefringence, melt rheology, crystallization, calorimetry, X-ray scattering.

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

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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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.