Senior Research Associate – Anomalous Small Angle Scattering (ASAXS)
Company: The University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular
Engineering is seeking a full time Senior Research Associate (SRA)
to become part of NSF’s ChemMatCARS. 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. ChemMatCARS is located at Sector 15 of the
Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL).
Anomalous Small Angle Scattering (ASAXS) is one of the most
powerful synchrotron X-ray techniques for element-specific
structural study of soft matter systems. It is indispensable for
understanding quantitative structural heterogeneities in soft
matter systems and nanomaterials. The successful candidate will be
expected to lead an ASAXS user program that will serve a general
scientific user community. The candidate will be expected to
originate and engage in collaborative efforts in ASAXS studies of a
variety of soft matter systems with ChemMatCARS users. These
efforts include, but are not limited to, conducting synchrotron
experiments with users at ChemMatCARS, analyzing ASAXS data,
contributing to manuscripts for publication, and, if the situation
applies, contributing to grant proposal applications. In addition,
this candidate will be expected to provide additional support for
scientists conducting research at ChemMatCARS, as well as lead
R&D efforts to expand the capabilities of ChemMatCARS in the
use of ASAXS. Areas of investigation include, but are not limited
to, aggregation and complexation of polyelectrolytes, interactions
between charged colloids and macro-ions in solutions, and element
distribution within functional nanomaterials at the length scales
from a few to hundreds of nanometers. A Ph.D. in Physical Sciences
in the study of soft matter science with synchrotron hard x-ray
techniques, preferably with Anomalous Small Angle X-ray Scattering
(ASAXS), a research record in soft matter science using synchrotron
hard x-ray scattering techniques, and a minimum of 8 years of
relevant experiences with 3 years in leading a user science program
at a synchrotron x-ray ASAXS facility. Expertise in a range of
synchrotron x-ray techniques, including the use of high energy
x-rays (up to 70 keV), for studying soft matter is especially
beneficial. Strong computer skills, including EPICS, SPEC, and
Python, as well as the ability to use these to write data
acquisition software, data analysis software, instrumentation
control interfaces and beamline control programs, are also
required. Experience with the operation of synchrotron beamlines is
highly preferred. Moreover, the SRA will have the opportunity to
serve in the role of Principal Investigator, writing proposals to
federal and non-federal agencies to support such research and
development.
Keywords: The University of Chicago, Evanston , Senior Research Associate – Anomalous Small Angle Scattering (ASAXS), Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Illinois
