"Research Associate"

General Duties

Conducts academic research in connection with CUNY programs; may assist faculty, staff, and students in conducting research and lead research efforts involving others.

• Develops research plans and proposals and participates in acquiring funding
• Collects, analyzes, and assures validity of data
• Writes progress reports; writes and publishes findings
• Collaborates with internal and external colleagues
• Adheres to standards for safety and hygiene and ethical conduct as defined by the University and relevant outside parties

Contract Title

Research Associate

FLSA

Exempt

Campus Specific Information

The City College of New York, supported by the Office of the Provost, seeks a highly-qualified postdoctoral trainee in STEM to be the inaugural Presidential Postdoctoral Scholar at CCNY. The Program is intended to attract and retain the most talented scholars into our faculty ranks. Under the general oversight of the Associate Provost for Research at CCNY with the inputs of the Deans of Science and Engineering, the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow performs research in one of several areas of Materials Science that have been identified by the institution as areas of interest and growth. The successful candidate aims to be a leader in their field. The Presidential Postdoctoral Scholar Program at CCNY supports the scholarly efforts and training of junior scholars who wish to pursue academic careers in research and creative inquiry, and provides professional development and networking opportunities to further their career goals, with emphasis on preparation for potential academic opportunities at CCNY upon completion.

The position includes a competitive salary and full benefits. Successful candidates will also receive funds to support research and professional development-related expenses.

The successful candidate will perform research in one of the following areas of interest:

• Experimental and/or computational quantum materials science and engineering
• Novel quantum materials synthesis with particular interest in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) techniques
• Materials characterization nanoprobes including cryogenic scanning transmission microscopy (STM), Atomic Force and Magnetic Force microscopy (AFM/MFM) or scanning near-field optical microscopy (NSOM)

Specific Duties

• Perform innovative ground breaking research in one of the areas listed above, working in close collaboration with one or more relevant CCNY faculty members in the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments to explore new hypotheses and validate research findings in the area of expertise
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate findings and enhance the impact of research outcomes
• Present findings at conferences and contribute to scholarly publications
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students, fostering their growth and development within the research environment
• Stay abreast of advancements in the field and integrate new knowledge into ongoing projects
• Contribute to grant writing and securing funding for ongoing and future research projects

Minimum Qualifications

Doctoral Degree in a related field and demonstrated research ability.

Other Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in materials science or a related discipline at the time of joining the Program. Candidates must be within 5 years of having obtained their Ph.D.
• Ph.D. degree in a relevant field (e.g., materials science, chemistry, physics, or engineering) with a strong publication record.
• Experience in leading research projects from conception to publication.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Ability to use effectively research equipment and devices standard to their field and to manage web-based technology as needed.
• Knowledge of and compliance with protocols for the safe and ethical conduct of research
• Experience with materials synthesis by MBE and/or quantum materials physics and advanced characterization probes.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and collaborative research environments
• Familiarity with grant writing and funding processes
• Knowledge of advanced modeling techniques and machine learning applications
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Curiosity-driven mindset with a passion for scientific discovery and innovation

Compensation

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Benefits

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

How to Apply

If you are viewing this job posting externally, please apply as follows:

• Go to https://cuny.jobs/
• Search for Job Opening ID number: 30744
• Click on the "Apply Now" button and follow the instructions.
• Applications, including the following items must be uploaded to the CUNYfirst job application website as a single PDF document: Cover Letter, Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae, Names of three references that can attest to your research strengths and accomplishments, A one to two-page statement briefly describing your research interests related to the postdoctoral position

The successful candidate is expected to begin the postdoctoral appointment for Fall 2025.