University of Minnesota

Post-Doctoral Associate #2- Prof. Tianhong Cui

University of Minnesota$129K — $131K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • Experimental experience in an academic research lab
  • Design, fabrication, and characterization of MEMS devices
  • Cleanroom experience is required
  • Familiarity with electrochemical processes (preferred)
  • Modeling and simulation skills (preferred)
  • Background in chemistry/biology (preferred)

Responsibilities

  • Perform high-level experimental and theoretical research focusing on electronics-based environmental sensors
  • Generate new research ideas and lead proposal development
  • Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and communicate with industrial partners
  • Author and co-author publications for peer review and prepare reports for funding agencies
  • Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research and project development
  • Coordinate research activities and provide project updates
  • Organize and manage laboratories, ensuring compliance with safety protocols
  • Opportunity to teach courses, prepare lectures and assignments

Benefits

  • Competitive wages and generous paid time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and tuition support
  • Low-cost medical and dental plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
  • Employee Assistance Program with free counseling sessions
  • Employee Transit Pass with reduced rates in the metro area
Full Job Description
This is a one-year full-time position. It is possible this position might be extended for a second year depending on satisfactory performance, the availability of funds and/or work for the position, and meeting standard University employment requirements.

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities:
  • Performing high level experimental, theoretical, and numerical research and data analysis (45%)
  • Presentation publication, and proposal preparation (30%)
  • Mentoring PhD and MSME students (10%)
  • Laboratory organization and management (10%)
  • Other duties as assigned (5%)

Duties:
  • In this position you will be expected to perform high level experimental, theoretical, and/or numerical research. Your primary research project will focus on electronics based environmental sensors to detect pollutants in water and microneedles for drug delivery for skin diseases, but you will have some latitude to study a variety of scientific topics chosen through mutual agreement and within the constraints of available funding.
  • In this context, you might be expected to generate new research ideas and lead development of new research proposals.
  • In this position, you will collaborate with a highly interdisciplinary team within the University of Minnesota and partner universities. Such collaborations may also extend to leading the communication with industrial partners through regular progress reports and supporting technology transfer processes where applicable. You will also be expected to participate in preparing, presenting, and discussing data with study investigators.
  • You will be expected to author, co-author, and otherwise collaborate on preparing publications for peer review describing research results, assisting with the preparation of progress reports as required by funding agencies, preparation of presentations for conferences, attendance at grant review meetings, and assisting with proposal preparation. You will also be expected to participate in preparing, presenting, and discussing data with study investigators.
  • As a post-doctoral associate, you will be encouraged to serve as a leader on your research team by mentoring graduate students, undergraduate students, and/or lab technician research team members. This may include advice on technical questions, data analysis, discussions on the development of research plans, preparation of manuscripts and reports, participating in the application / execution of established techniques to other projects, and helping them to develop and pursue their own independent research as a co-author.
  • You might be acting lead on research projects and expected to effectively coordinate research activities within the project team, communicate project needs, and provide regular updates on project progress to the lab group and Principal Investigator.
  • You will have joint responsibility for the organization and management of laboratories under the faculty mentor's supervision ensuring all lab members follow all safety protocols, properly recording data from experimental and numerical research and promptly backing up all data.
  • While in this position you might also have the opportunity to teach courses offered in our department. These duties would be to prepare and deliver lectures, prepare homework assignments, quizzes and exams, hold office hours, assess student work, supervise the teaching assistants and manage the administration of the course.
  • Other duties as assigned.


Qualifications

Required qualifications
  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
  • Experimental experience in academic research lab environment
  • Design, fabrication, and characterization of MEMS devices and systems
  • Cleanroom experience is required

Preferred qualifications
  • Modeling and simulation skills
  • Data analysis skills
  • Familiar with electrochemical processes
  • Some background in chemistry/biology


About the Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an internationally recognized faculty, and is part of the College of Science and Engineering, the highly interdisciplinary college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $62,232 - $63,000 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
  • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • University HSA contributions
  • Disability and employer-paid life insurance
  • Employee wellbeing program
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
  • Financial counseling services
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
  • Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public research university located in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is the flagship institution of the University of Minnesota System, and is one of the largest universities in the United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields, including agriculture, engineering, business, law, medicine, and the arts and sciences. The University of Minnesota is committed to providing high-quality education and research opportunities to its students, and has a strong reputation for academic excellence and innovation.
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