MCL Assistant Research Professor –SEM Microscopist Job at Penn State University

## CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please to complete the Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.The **Materials Characterization Lab** (MCL) is a fully staffed, open-access analytical research facility within Penn State’s **Materials Research Institute (MRI)**. MCL’s mission is to enable world-class research while educating the next generation of highly qualified researchers. The laboratory houses more than $25M in advanced instrumentation and is supported by 20+ interdisciplinary scientists and engineers who are passionate about education and collaborative problem solving. Each year, MCL supports over 1,000 users from more than 40 Penn State departments, as well as 100+ external organizations, including industry partners, government laboratories, and other academic institutions. MCL is filling an **Assistant Research Professor** position, seeking a PhD-level scientist to join the SEM–FIB group, where they will play a key role in microscopy education, user support, and research innovation. The microscopy lab currently includes three field-emission SEMs, one conventional SEM, two Ga-based FIB systems, and associated support equipment. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with existing microscopy staff to support user training, instrument operations, and research activities across this instrumentation suite. **Key Responsibilities** Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Microscopy education leadership, including serving as the primary instructor for a 1-credit graduate-level Materials Science & Engineering course in scanning electron microscopy, and contributing to broader MCL training offerings. **Laboratory-Wide and Strategic Responsibilities** In addition to microscopy-specific duties, this position will have laboratory-wide responsibilities related to the management of multi-technique analytical projects. These projects are frequently initiated by researchers external to Penn State and require broad characterization knowledge to: scope and quote analytical work, coordinate multi-instrument workflows, execute projects efficiently and safely, and deliver high-quality written reports and results. The successful candidate will also contribute to strategic initiatives across MCL, particularly those related to education, training, and outreach. As such, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, engaging, and impactful content for inclusive audiences. **Required Qualifications** Demonstrated expertise in electron microscopy, with strong hands-on experience in SEM (e.g., imaging and microanalysis workflows such as EDS; experience with FIB is a plus). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to train and mentor users ranging from new graduate students to experienced industrial partners. **Preferred / Highly Desired Qualifications** Experience developing and documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or training materials for complex laboratory equipment. Experience with instrument upkeep and vacuum/filament/consumables maintenance and performance optimization. Experience in a thin-film, nanomaterials, or microelectronics-adjacent research environment; familiarity with complementary methods (e.g., Raman, XRD, lithography, AFM, XPS) is beneficial. Demonstrated record of teaching, mentoring, or outreach (formal TA experience, workshop instruction, or curriculum development). Experience operating Thermo-Fisher instrumentation, specifically Axia, Apreo, and Verios platforms.
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