Research Scientist - Advanced Science Research Center

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The Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at CUNY is where New York City’s boldest ideas at the interface of chemistry, physics, materials, engineering and the life sciences converge under one roof. By uniting world-class researchers, state-of-the-art facilities, and a culture of collaboration, the ASRC is unique in the US and it is redefining how science drives discovery, innovation, and impact relevant to the most pressing societal challenges relating to human and planetary health. The Advanced Science Research Center provides sophisticated equipment and staff support to researchers across CUNY and beyond. High-end core facilities and instrumentation in the ASRC, never before available at CUNY, allow scientists to expand the scope and scale of their research endeavors.

Within this context, the Nanoscience Initiative draws inspiration from the molecular materials and processes of the living world to create groundbreaking technological innovations to advance biomedicine, sustainable materials, and green energy harvesting. Our vibrant community of over 90 researchers drives innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration, and connecting basic science with societal needs, including through entrepreneurship.

Three core user facilities in Nanofabrication, Imaging and Surface Science, which have over 650 registered users from across CUNY, other academic institutions and the industry. The Nanofabrication Facility comprises a 5,000 square feet of ISO 6 (Class 1,000) and ISO 5 (Class 100) cleanroom space and contains additional lab space for back-end processing and support areas. The Imaging Suite consists of a cryogenic TEM for life sciences, a materials science S/TEM with EDS, a training TEM, an environmental SEM, a dual-beam FIB-SEM with EDS, and two confocal microscopes (STED fluorescence and Raman). The Surface Science facility has X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

The ASRC CAT is a NY state funded Center for Advanced Technology that strengthens New York’s innovation ecosystem by linking industry and academia through shared instrumentation, technical expertise, and cost‐sharing support. It not only accelerates applied research in diverse areas, spanning environmental, biomedical, photonic, and nanoscale domains, but also plays an active role in workforce development. The program offers professional certificate courses, entrepreneurship workshops, and summer internships to CUNY students, postdocs, and industry researchers to cultivate high-impact skills and smooth transitions into STEM careers.

The Research Scientist will report to the Initiative Director and work closely with the Core Facilities Directors to ensure the effective and efficient operation, maintenance, and management of the Surface Science, Nanofabrication and Imaging facilities. The incumbent will be responsible for enhancing the organization and infrastructure necessary for continued success and growth of these cores, while ensuring the CUNY academic community can take full advantage of these facilities.

They are expected to develop a strong understanding of the three Core Facilities, the CAT program, and will be responsible for enhancing the user pool to ensure efficient and safe running of facilities, and to pursue external funding and strategic partnering opportunities to support and advance the core facilities and keep them up-to-date.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Develops a clear understanding of the mission, needs and goals of each of the three Core Facilities of the Nanoscience Initiative;

• Strengthens coordination and integration across the Nanoscience Core Facilities, including alignment with CAT activities and related translational initiatives;

• Contributes advanced technical expertise, particularly in surface and materials characterization;

• Collaborates with ASRC, CUNY, and external researchers from both academia and industry and actively seeks new collaborative research projects and participates in ongoing ASRC research projects, where appropriate;

• Leads or co-leads collaborative and interdisciplinary external funding opportunities relating to expanding user pool, outreach, technology transfer from federal (NSF ART, NSF Test Bed, NSF NQNI), city (NYCEDC) and state funding (NYSTAR);

• Seeks funding to support research activities and industry/academic partnerships;

• Assists and/or leads with the preparation of grant applications, presentations, publications and progress reports;

• Workforce development component: Leads and develops graduate and undergraduate research training and teaching courses at the ASRC in the areas of surface science, imaging, and nanofabrication; Enhance the student and trainee experience through hands-on training and mentorship linked to facility use

• Supports academic and industry users in understanding and effectively using ASRC core facilities. Advises and trains internal and external users, with varying degrees of experience, in experimental design, sample preparation, and data interpretation; assists with refining and adapting methodologies to fit specific experimental requirements;

• Supports industry engagement and workforce development programs such as WH-Green Tech Labs.

• Contributes to dissemination of results through workshops, seminars, and publications;

• Provides advanced technical expertise, particularly in surface and materials characterization

• Collaborates with research faculty in the core facilities to support the development of robust strategic research and business plans, set targets, and implement means to adhere to these plans and targets;

• Implements measures to maximize equipment usage and minimize down time;

• Ensures consistent implementation, and continuous improvement of, standard operating and control procedures for all equipment in the core facilities;

• Assists with negotiation of new equipment purchases and contracts, as needed;

• Assists facility managers in operation and maintenance of scientific equipment in the Nanoscience Initiative Facilities. This includes training users, preventative maintenance, SOP development, and, where appropriate, advising on measures to maximize usage and minimize downtime, and implementing control procedures;

• Works with the Communications and Marketing team to create promotional media and maintain the website, highlighting each of the Nanoscience Core Facilities;

• Works with the Facilities Managers to organize workshops, user meetings, and other forums to assist community building;

• Creates and maintains relationships with user groups and other institutional bodies, as needed, including travel to these entities for in person relationship building;

• Supervises staff;

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ph.D. in area(s) of expertise or equivalent and a record of several years of successful research experience, clear evidence of ability to perform research independently or collaborate on research projects, and significant scholarship in their field. Also required are the ability to advise and/or oversee the direct work of others and a commitment to service in a university setting.

A preferred candidate should have:

• Ph.D. in science or technical discipline closely related with at least one of the Core Facilities (nanofabrication is strongly preferred).

• Five years technical experience with nanofabrication, electron microscopy, surface science, ideally in a user facility.

• Experience in fundraising from government agencies and industry.

• Experience in supervising engineers, technicians and scientists.

• Excellent leadership and project management skills with ability to foster teamwork.

• Exceptional managerial, technical, analytical, and evaluative and follow-through skills in a research arm of a higher education institution or government laboratory.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to write, speak, and present effectively to a wide variety of audiences including academics and industry representatives.

• Ability to collaborate with peers and work effectively with diverse stakeholders at various organizational levels.

• A firm commitment to CUNY's mission of creating access to excellent higher education for a diverse urban population.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and meet tight deadlines.

• Ability to think strategically.

• Strong attention to details.

• Strong organizational skills.

Open Until Filled

Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

Pay Range:

$90,000 - $120,000

RFCUNY BenefitsRFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity StatementThe Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.