Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

Research in the MBEAM Laboratory is focused on gas-phase and gas-surface scattering dynamics that are relevant to hypersonic flows and spacecraft interactions with the residual atmosphere in the low Earth orbital (LEO) environment. There are additional projects aimed at understanding the ablation phenomena of materials in hypersonic flow and LEO environments. The main techniques used for this experimental research are crossed molecular-beams scattering, molecular beam-surface scattering, mass spectrometry, temperature-programmed desorption, resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) with ion velocity-map imaging, surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy. Projects often involve close collaborations with theoreticians or modelers and experimentalists with complementary expertise.

• Conduct hyperthermal beam exposures of materials to simulate space environmental effects on materials in low Earth orbit.
• Prepare and mount samples.
• Expose samples to required fluence of reactive atoms.
• Analyze samples with various surface analysis techniques: profilometry, SEM, AFM, XPS.
• Prepare reports.
• Conduct molecular beam-surface scattering experiments with a universal crossed molecular beams apparatus.
• Reactive and inelastic scattering of O, N, O2, N2, or Ar, on materials of relevance to satellites in low Earth orbit or heat shields for atmospheric entry.
• Analyze data, including the derivation of product translational energy distributions and angular distributions of scattered product flux.
• Prepare reports as well as manuscripts for publication.
• Conduct crossed molecular beams experiments using mass spectrometric and laser-based probes of products.
• Reactive and inelastic scattering of oxygen and nitrogen atoms with O, N, N2, O2, NO, and CO.
• Analyze data, including the derivation of center-of-mass velocity-flux maps (i.e., differential cross sections).
• Prepare reports as well as manuscripts for publication.
• Daily tasks, including but not limited to:
• Maintenance of vacuum hardware.
• Maintenance of electronics components, lasers, optical systems, and mass spectrometers.
• Conducting experiments.
• Organizing laboratory.
• Cataloging laboratory equipment.
• Ordering supplies.
• Analyzing data using commercial and custom computer programs.
• Providing support in the preparation of publications and presentations.
• Interacting with MBEAM Laboratory students, post-docs, and staff, as well as external collaborators, external sponsors, and facilities personnel.
• Assisting in the training of new members of the MBEAM Laboratory.

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000 annually. Relocation assistance may be available within department guidelines.

• Ph.D. degree in chemistry, physics, or engineering.

• Aptitude for operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory hardware.
• Ability and motivation to learn unfamiliar science and engineering topics.
• Meticulous, careful, and thoughtful at carrying out tasks.
• Competence with computer-aided design.
• Modest to strong computer programming ability.
• Interest in the application of fundamental reaction dynamics to aerospace applications.
• Sufficient desire and work ethic to accomplish goals.
• Good writing and presentation skills.
• Good organizational skills – of both physical objects and thoughts.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Sufficient maturity to work independently, represent the lab to others, and mentor less-experienced co-workers.

• Experience with molecular beam experiments.
• Experience with high and/or ultrahigh vacuum systems.
• Experience with mass spectrometry.
• Experience with lasers and laser spectroscopy.
• Knowledge of molecular reaction dynamics.
• Knowledge of materials used for spacecraft, especially polymers.
• Knowledge of compressible fluid dynamics.