University of Arizona
Postdoctoral Research Associate I
Posting Number
req21759
Department
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Department Website Link
Main Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Lunar & Planetary Laboratory and the Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate I in the field of thermodynamic modeling of planetary materials. The group's areas of interest span a broad range of topics including lunar processes, the origins of presolar circumstellar dust, the high-temperature origins of the first solar-system solids, and low-temperature aqueous chemistry that occurred within asteroids in the early solar system. We seek a postdoctoral candidate to work within our planetary materials research group performing computational thermodynamics in support of characterization and interpretation of the origin of planetary materials. This is a year-to-year appointment, contingent upon funding and performance. The start date is negotiable, but preference is for on or before the start of the Fall 2025 semester.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!
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Duties & Responsibilities- The successful
applicant will conduct original
research related to the origins of refractory calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions
(CAIs), the first solids to have formed in the solar system. Duties include:
(i) construction and cataloging of thermochemical databases, (ii) using density
functional theory to compute the thermochemical properties of mineral phases
relevant to CAIs and their solid solutions for which appropriate thermochemical
data may be lacking, and (iii) constructing thermodynamic models and calculating
the phase diagrams of those systems. The candidate will be part of a team
focused on characterizing CAIs down to the atomic level using electron
microscopy and comparing the characterization data with model output to infer
the thermodynamic conditions and chemical pathways through which CAI phases
formed. Thus, participating in group meetings, presenting results at
conferences, and preparing original scientific research manuscripts are
expected activities. - The successful applicant will also participate in team meetings, presentation of results at conferences, and preparation of original scientific research manuscripts.
- PhD in the field of Materials
Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Science, or a
related field at the time of the appointment.
- Experience with the CALculation of PHase Diagram (CALPHAD) framework to compute and model the thermochemical properties of materials
- Experience with density functional theory to model the free-energy functions of materials
- Experience with Thermocalc software to calculate phase diagrams
FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.00
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
8/4/2025
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Tom Zega,
Open Date
1/24/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Three Additional Documents
Special Instructions to Applicant
Documents required for consideration for the position include a Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications and three letters of recommendation.
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