Associate Researcher/Associate Researcher Senior

Position Overview
Founded in 1865, KU is an R1-rated research university with more than 40 graduate programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report. KU enrolls 28,500 students and employs nearly 1,500 faculty members across five campuses (Lawrence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Wichita and Salina). The Office of Research oversees 10 university research centers, two state surveys and about a dozen core laboratories. Core lab personnel play a critical role in research success at KU – collaborating with faculty, students and industry researchers to acquire data, train users on instrumentation, and help plan experiments and interpret data. They also frequently co-author publications and serve as co-investigators on grant proposals.

Thanks in part to core lab support, faculty and staff on all KU campuses generated $275.4 million in externally funded research expenditures in fiscal year 2020. Collectively, that activity fuels KU’s mission to be an institution “making discoveries that change the world.” It’s also among the reasons KU retains membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities — one of just 36 U.S. public institutions among 65 that are transforming lives through education, research and innovation.

The KU Office of Research seeks a Ph.D. scientist with expertise in small molecule X-ray crystallography to fill a full-time, benefits-eligible unclassified professional staff position at the Associate Researcher or Associate Researcher Senior rank, depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate. The scientist will provide small molecule X-ray crystallography services to KU and outside users. Duties include operation and maintenance of X-ray diffractometers, training and assisting users, and providing crystal structure determinations to lab customers. The position will be housed in the Protein Structure and X-Ray Crystallography Lab, a centrally-funded KU core research laboratory, and will report to the Director of the Protein Structure and X-Ray Crystallography Lab. This position is funded by income, grants and other soft funded sources and is contingent upon the ongoing availability of funds.

The University of Kansas has state of the art equipment to facilitate the research conducted within the lab. Resources include a Bruker D8 Venture equipped with microfocus IμS 3.0 X-ray sources, Helios multilayer optics, dual Cu-Kapha and Mo-Kalpha X-rays, kappa goniometer, Photon III-14 pixel array detector (140 mm x 110 mm) and an Oxford 800 cryostream. The instrument features an automated goiniometer for rapid centering of samples in the X-ray beam and operates with as a fully air-cooled system with low maintenance needs.

As a premier international research university, The University of Kansas is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that nurtures the growth and development of all. KU holds steadfast in the belief that a variety of values, interests, experiences, and intellectual and cultural viewpoints enrich learning and our workplace. The Office of Research actively seeks applications from members of groups underrepresented in higher education.

The successful candidate must have valid U.S. work authorization prior to the start date of appointment.

Job Description

• 40% - Execute the technical and scientific aspects of X-ray crystallography services provided by the Protein Structure and X-Ray Crystallography Lab. Works with users in running the single crystal and powder diffractometers, solves small molecule crystal structures, conducts report preparation.
• 40% - Collaborates and assists with all the appropriate aspects of faculty, staff and student research projects requiring molecular structure determination. These aspects include but are not limited to sample preparation, data collection, structure solution, and report generation, as well as training of students and research staff in the use of the laboratory’s equipment and in the determination of molecular structures. When called for, assists faculty, staff, and students with interpretation of crystallographic data and the preparation of grant applications. May serve as co-author on manuscripts and co-investigator on grant proposals as appropriate.
• 10% - Works with the Protein Structure and X-Ray Crystallography Lab director in organizing, maintaining, and operating the hardware, software, facilities, and organizational resources of X-ray crystallography services, including working with vendors on service/maintenance and purchase of equipment, parts, and supplies.
• 5% - Work with the Protein Structure and X-Ray Crystallography Lab director on the financial management of X-ray crystallography services in the lab such as invoicing users for services rendered
• 5% - Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications - 

Associate Researcher Level 

1. Ph.D. degree in Chemistry or a related field, including chemical/biological sciences or engineering disciplines. 
2. Experience in operation and support of single-crystal diffractometers, including hardware and software. 
3. Experience in the determination of small-molecule organic/inorganic/organometallic crystal structures by single-crystal X-ray methods. 
4. Excellent organizational skills as demonstrated by application materials, work history and references.

Associate Researcher Sr. Level 

1. Ph.D. degree in Chemistry or a related field, including chemical/biological sciences or engineering disciplines.
2. Five years of experience or postdoctoral training in the operation and/or support of a single-crystal diffractometers, including hardware and software.
3. Five years of experience or postdoctoral training in the determination of small-molecule organic/inorganic/organometallic crystal structures by single-crystal X-ray methods.
4. Excellent organizational skills as demonstrated by application materials, work history and references

Preferred Qualifications - 

1. Experience working in a core research laboratory setting.
2. Experience in operation and support of powder X-ray diffractometers, including hardware and software. Experience in the analysis of powder diffraction patterns.
3. Ability to work collegially in a collaborative research environment, as evidenced by application materials, in-person interview, and references.
4. Excellent verbal communication skills as evidenced by in-person interview.
5. Experience working with diverse groups on a variety of crystallographic and scientific problems.
6. Experience with managing budgets, purchasing, and invoicing in a core lab setting.

Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application includes:

• Online application
• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and how it fits with your career goals
• Resume highlighting pertinent experience relative to the required and preferred qualifications
• Names and contact information for three professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins on February 1st, 2022 and will continue until a successful candidate has been identified.

KU is an EO/AAE, full policy: http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination