Postdoctoral Research Associate I

University of Arizona

life insurance, sick time

United States, Arizona, Tucson

Jan 25, 2025

Postdoctoral Research Associate I
Posting Number	req21759
Department	Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Department Website Link	https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/
Location	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! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
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.
Minimum Qualifications	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.
Preferred Qualifications	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, tzega@arizona.edu
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.
Diversity Statement	At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.
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