Research Professional

Research Professional

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) is seeking a Research Professional to support the day-to-day operational and administrative needs of a large and complex research group that is heavily involved in the Mengs lab effort. The ideal candidate will closely partner with Professor Shirley Meng to plan, oversee, and execute all aspects of the research operation, from basic calendaring and inventory management to grant proposal preparation, manuscript editing, and report preparation.

The candidate should have experience in planning, executing, facilitating, and promoting advanced technical/scientific research projects on energy storage and conversion technologies, especially in:
1) developing advanced analytical techniques for materials diagnosis;
2) synthesis of advanced materials with micro/nano size through solid-state, co-precipitation, and hydro-thermal methods; and
3) knowledge of the complexities of the interaction among the anode, cathode, and electrolyte, such as qualitative and quantitative lithium inventory study. The Research Professional will participate directly through various research activities and support the PI with the mentorship of researchers who will work on different projects.

Responsibilities include facilitating and promoting advanced technical/scientific research projects, assisting in the preparation and writing of grant applications and reports, working closely with faculty to write documentation and disseminate computational methods and resources that support or advance their research, maintaining group scientific operations, collaborating and coordinating with other researchers in the group and joint research efforts, coordinating with other personnel in various functional areas to ensure smooth operations across all aspects of the operation, creating and presenting tutorials, hands-on workshops, and documentation to educate the research community, maintaining appointments, calendars, inventories, websites, grant-related documentation, financial projections, reports, and other information, reviewing laboratory protocols and training on new techniques, managing complex data sets for research, training new laboratory personnel, and performing other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a PhD in a related field and 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include a doctoral degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related area, a minimum of 2 years of significant work experience, postdoc experience, background with energy storage and conversion technologies, extensive experience in different anode materials, expertise in handling batteries with different formats and specifications, advanced characterization techniques, initiating and guiding research projects with students and other researchers, background working within academic and laboratory environments, supervisory experience, chemical analytical skills, fabrication capabilities for coin cell, pouch cell, and load cell with pressure and temperature control, in-depth electrochemistry skills, X-ray power diffraction experimental design and quantitative data analysis, strong computer skills, knowledge of statistical/analytical software, familiarity with grant writing/submission and manuscript drafting, editing and review, demonstrated administrative, problem-solving, organization, and coordination skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent time management skills and handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines with minimal supervision, prioritize urgent tasks while ensuring established deadlines are met, flexible and adaptable to changes in workflow and procedures, handle stressful, sensitive, and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion, knowledge and experience of related research techniques or methods, knowledge of and familiarity with local and federal regulations, guidelines, and procedures.

Application documents required include a resume/CV, including a list of publications, and a research statement describing current and future research interests. The document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.