Job Description

Several Postdoctoral Associate positions are available at VT MEMS Laboratory (Director: Dr. Masoud Agah) at Virginia Tec to work on a transdisciplinary project to develop a bench-type semiconductor-based instrument for the analysis of chemical compositions in aerosols. The project is funded through an Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) contract. The positions will be located in Blacksburg, VA.

The postdoctoral associates in these positions will work as part of a team/independently. Responsibilities include:
- Plan and conduct research.
- Coordinate activities with other members of the VT MEMS lab and with other collaborators including the startup companies involved in this project.
- Supervise students as needed.
- Pursue research goals with routine consultation but limited supervision.
- Assist in design, execution, and interpretation of research projects to gain practical experience in the field.
- Prepare professional presentations, reports, and publications.
- Engage in collaborative work with peers to achieve research objectives.
- Travel and conduct test and evaluation of components and systems in designated sites by the federal government.
- Occasional travel within the Commonwealth of Virginia to use the Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST) facilities for chip fabrication and characterization
- Travel as necessary to collaborate with the companies involved in this project for the purpose of testing and evaluation of components and systems.

Required Qualifications

- Ph.D. in engineering or (analytical) chemistry. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
- Experience in (1) MEMS fabrication and processing, system integration, and analog/digital electronics or (2) semiconductor sensors and their functionalization with applications in gas and chemical diagnostics, or (3) analytical and micro analytical chemistry with emphasis on gas separation, adsorption, and aerosol analysis.
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Requires knowledge of laboratory and chemical safety practices
- Collaborative team player with the ability to work cross-functionally
- High degree of emotional intelligence

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in conducing research with heavy reporting requirements
- Experience in research crossing semiconductor/MEMS and volatile organic compounds
- Stationary phase coating and GC/MS analysis
- Ability to begin working in January 2024

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

01/19/2024

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.