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The Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface analysis. The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for supporting the operation and scientific use of the Department’s newly acquired Kratos AXIS Supra+ X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer. This position will involve teaching and related instructional activities in the Department of Chemistry.

The AXIS Supra+ is a state-of-the-art, automated surface-analysis platform capable of high-resolution XPS spectroscopy, selected-area analysis, chemical-state imaging, and depth profiling. The Postdoctoral Fellow will operate and maintain this XPS instrument, assist internal and external users with experimental design and sample analysis, train and certify new users, and support the interpretation and reporting of surface-analysis data. The individual will also contribute to undergraduate instruction, primarily in general chemistry, with possible assignments in advanced undergraduate laboratories, instrumental analysis, surface characterization, or other chemistry courses according to departmental needs.

This position provides an opportunity to develop expertise in advanced instrumentation, facility management, interdisciplinary research collaboration, university teaching, and the operation of a shared research facility.

XPS Instrumentation and Research Support

• Operate the Kratos AXIS Supra+ X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer and associated surface-analysis capabilities.
• Perform routine instrument calibration, performance verification, quality-control measurements, and diagnostic testing.
• Prepare, mount, and introduce samples while ensuring that samples are compatible with instrument and ultrahigh-vacuum requirements.
• Acquire survey spectra, high-resolution spectra, selected-area spectra, chemical-state images, depth profiles, UPS spectra, and ISS data, as appropriate.
• Use monatomic and gas-cluster ion sources for sample cleaning and depth-profiling experiments.
• Assist researchers with experimental design, selection of acquisition parameters, spectral processing, peak fitting, quantification, and interpretation of results.
• Conduct sample analyses for university researchers, external academic users, government laboratories, and industrial partners.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and research staff on projects involving XPS and complementary materials-characterization techniques.
• Contribute, where appropriate, to scientific manuscripts, proposals, presentations, and facility-development activities.
• Develop independent or collaborative research projects that make use of the XPS facility.

User Training and Facility Management

• Develop and deliver training programs for graduate students, undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other users.
• Train and certify qualified users for independent operation of approved instrument functions.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures, user manuals, sample-acceptance guidelines, safety protocols, and training records.
• Maintain an instrument scheduling system and coordinate access for internal and external users.
• Track instrument usage, sample submissions, service activities, and other facility metrics.
• Monitor instrument performance and respond promptly to operational problems.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance and coordinate repairs, software updates, technical support, and service visits with the instrument manufacturer.
• Maintain an inventory of consumables, reference materials, gases, sample holders, and replacement components.
• Ensure compliance with university safety requirements and applicable procedures for X-ray-generating equipment, compressed gases, vacuum systems, electrical systems, and chemical samples.
• Promote effective use of the facility through workshops, demonstrations, consultations, and outreach to potential users across the university and broader research community.

Teaching and Mentoring

• Teach or assist with assigned undergraduate chemistry courses, laboratories, recitations, or seminars.
• Teaching assignments may include upper-level courses or laboratories such as instrumental analysis, analytical chemistry, materials characterization, or related subjects.
• Prepare lectures, laboratory exercises, demonstrations, instructional materials, assignments, and assessments.
• Evaluate student work and provide timely and constructive feedback.
• Hold office hours and provide academic support to students.
• Incorporate XPS, surface analysis, and modern chemical instrumentation into instructional activities where appropriate.

• Doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or a closely related field completed by the appointment start date.
• Research experience involving X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface analysis, ultrahigh-vacuum instrumentation, or closely related materials-characterization methods.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, process, and interpret spectroscopic data.
• Strong written, oral, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting a diverse community of faculty, students, research staff, and external users.
• Commitment to safe laboratory and instrument operation.

• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting a modern XPS instrument.
• Experience with Kratos AXIS-series instrumentation and ESCApe data-acquisition and processing software.
• Experience with high-resolution XPS, spectral peak fitting, quantitative surface analysis, chemical-state imaging, selected-area spectroscopy, or depth profiling.
• Experience with UPS, ISS, Auger electron spectroscopy, gas-cluster ion sputtering, or air-sensitive sample handling.
• Knowledge of ultrahigh-vacuum systems, turbomolecular pumps, X-ray sources, electron-energy analyzers, charge neutralization, and ion sources.
• Experience analyzing catalysts, materials, semiconductors, polymers, thin films, biomaterials, corrosion products, or related materials.
• Experience maintaining shared instrumentation or supporting a university, national-laboratory, or industrial user facility.
• Experience training instrument users and developing standard operating procedures.
• Previous teaching experience in general chemistry, analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, or laboratory instruction.

Appointment and Supervision

The initial appointment will be for one year and may be renewed afterwards based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be supervised by designated faculty in the Department of Chemistry. Teaching assignments will be coordinated by departmental leadership. Specific teaching assignments may vary by semester according to departmental needs and the candidate’s expertise

Applicants must submit the following materials through the University of Cincinnati online application system:

1. A cover letter describing the applicant’s experience with XPS, surface analysis, scientific instrumentation, and teaching.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for at least two professional references.

Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2026and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions regarding the scientific and instrumentation components of the position may be directed to Professor Yujie Sun, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, at yujie.sun@uc.edu. Questions regarding the formal application process should be directed to the appropriate University of Cincinnati Human Resources contact.