Job Description

Job Description
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) is among the largest and most prominent in the nation. The department offers Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in both Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Aerospace Engineering (AE).
The MAE Department has an enrollment of over 1,100 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students. The department is housed in Engineering Building III, a four-story, 250,000-square foot facility built in 2010. The annex houses an anechoic chamber, wind tunnels, internal combustion engine dynamometers, and additional research labs. NC State’s location on Centennial Campus combined with its proximity to the Research Triangle Park and neighboring universities provides extensive opportunities for academic and industrial interaction and collaboration.


Essential Job Duties

Our research group’s focus is on the fundamental understanding and functionalities of ceramic materials, especially for high temperatures and extreme environment applications. We are working on the manufacture of multifunctional ceramic materials, especially on their structural, electrical/dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties, and how to manufacture such materials for applications in high-temperature and extreme environments.
This job is for a three-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position working in chemical synthesis and material preparation for ceramic materials through a chemical synthesis or polymeric precursor or traditional route.
The scope includes but is not limited to solution-based materials synthesis, manipulation of precursor polymer composition (such as through doping), preceramic precursor synthetization for desired stoichiometry, material fabrication for desired properties, and material property characterizations.
Responsibilities will include:
• Ceramic processing (high-temperature sintering up to 2200 °C)
• Polymer synthesis and crosslinking
• Sample fabrication of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites
• Perform hands-on synthesis, characterization and testing of new compounds
• Material property characterizations, such as FT-IR, XRD, XPS, Raman, TGA/DSC, SEM, TEM
• Publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Training and supervising graduate and undergraduate students
• Lab maintenance, including equipment setup, maintenance, organization, and ordering of supplies as needed


Timeline

The review process for applications will begin in April 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. The expected start date for the position is May 2023. Salary will be competitive based on qualifications. If interested, please submit CV and transcripts to Dr. Xu at:
Dr. Cheryl Xu
Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
NC State
Email: [email protected]
https://www.mae.ncsu.edu/people/cxu-research/


Qualifications

• Requires a doctor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Material Engineering, Polymer Science, or equivalent scientific discipline.
• A strong background in synthetic organic chemistry including experience with multi-step organic synthesis and extensive organic compound structural characterization.
• High technical achievement as evidenced by publication in high-impact scientific journals.
• Prior experience with ceramic material fabrication through a polymeric precursor route is preferred.

AA/EOE
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree verified at www.wes.org. Degree must be obtained prior to start date.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.


NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree verified at www.wes.org. Degree must be obtained prior to start date. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.