Postdoctoral Scholar - Polymer Engineering and Science

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend is seeking qualified applicants for a one-year postdoctoral scholar position, with the possibility of renewal. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, with research experience in polymer characterization or polymer processing.

The postdoctoral scholar will be responsible for investigating crystallization and rheology phenomena related to polymer processing. The candidate will work with professor Xiaoshi Zhang and other Penn State plastic faculty.

Experience with analytical techniques, including thermal and mechanical testing, is required. Hands-on experience with injection molding, AFM, POM, FTIR, FSC, and rotational rheometry is highly desirable. Knowledge of programming and machine learning is also highly preferred. Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to supervise undergraduate researchers, publish in peer-reviewed technical journals, and build collaborative research teams.

The researcher will join a highly productive, dynamic research group consisting of faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduates. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of scholars across the Penn State University system.

Please submit a cover letter and CV with the application. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This position will require the successful completion of standard background check(s) in accordance with University policy.

Onsite teaching is an essential function of this job.

Penn State Behrend is an undergraduate and graduate college of The Pennsylvania State University. Situated on a beautiful, wooded 854-acre hillside campus recognized as a U.S. arboretum, we have four academic schools (Business; Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Science); student residential living; a range of research programs and outreach centers; and a highly successful business and technology park. With 5,000 students in resident instruction and online in college programs offered through Penn State World Campus, we uniquely blend the atmosphere and focus on teaching of a small college with access to the academic, research, and professional development resources of a Big 10, R1 University. Our college is an open laboratory of learning and discovery where students gain real-life experience engaging with business, industry, and community partners. We seek faculty members who share our commitment to both teaching and scholarship, to the holistic development of students, and to principles of respect, diversity, and inclusiveness.

A U.S. News & World Report recognized undergraduate engineering school, the School of Engineering houses ten ABET accredited bachelor's degrees, two ABET accredited associate degrees, four minors, two certificates, and one graduate degree. The school prides itself in rigorous undergraduate education for our 1800 students, emphasizing practical experiences that prepare our graduates for professional practice and graduate school.There are many opportunities for undergraduate students to engage with faculty in funded undergraduate research. More than 95 percent of graduates are employed in field within one year after graduation. The School supports a growing, all-campus interest in research that addresses issues of women's health, energy & sustainability, and polymer science.

Workforce diversity, cultural inclusiveness, and employment equity are deeply rooted in Penn State's historic mission. Just as we are committed to being a diverse educational environment, we are also committed to being a diverse working community. As a community, we endeavor to be a mixture of cultural backgrounds, life experiences, individual perspectives, and numerous other characteristics that add variety and vitality to the workplace.

Erie, Pennsylvania is a metropolitan area of more than a quarter million people located on the southern shores of Lake Erie, two hours from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. The area's economy reflects a mix of educational, medical, industrial, tourism, and service activity; the region is home to five colleges and universities in the region, including Penn State Behrend.Northwestern Pennsylvania offers abundant cultural, sports, and recreational opportunities with four seasons of adventure.Summers feature miles of beaches, a range of lake sports, and festivals every weekend, and the winters are made for skiing, skating, and more. It's easy to get around, housing is affordable, and the cost of living is modest. Erie offers relaxed, comfortable living.

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