Job Details

Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

Position Number: 6886276
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

Requisition Number: 69539
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 12-Feb-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The goals of the Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate position are to develop code for near real time visualization of 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) data and to optimize electron phase retrieval from a variety of 4D-STEM, differential phase contrast (DPC) and holography data formats. The associate will assess the format of data sets from different instruments and determine optimal procedures for data handling. They will research methods to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of both the measurements and software tools. They will contribute to data evaluation and interpretation to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of electric field measurement and to optimize the strategic directions of the project. They will organize and present data analysis and modeling software in ways that are clear and useful to team members and Associate Directors.
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists. The particular group that needs a researcher is the Quantitative Nanostructure Characterization Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Develop code to intake 4D-STEM, DPC and holography data from multiple system formats and implement various methods of phase retrieval in python or similar.
Test and optimize phase retrieval methods.
Develop code to simulate 4D-STEM data and the influence of collection conditions on the data and phase retrieval.
Simulate expected variations in 4D-STEM, DPC and holography data and in the expected phase shifts with changes in materials.
Communicate and collaborate with team members.
Present and publish results as appropriate.

What You Should Know

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. 272(b) and (c)

Purpose: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for the full-time Postdoctoral Associate position is $67,500 - $90,000 annually.
The salary range for the full-time Research Associate position is $74,000 - $135,000 annually.
Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Postdoctoral Associate: A PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, or a related field with 0 - 4 years of post-doctoral degree experience.
Research Associate: A PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of post-doctoral degree experience.

What You Will Need

Three (3) or more years of experience programming with Python or similar.
Experience with computational modeling of materials systems.
Experience with analysis of diffraction data.
Familiarity with multiple programming languages.
Experience with large data analysis.
Strong oral and written communication skills.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume/CV
Cover Letter

(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until February 12, 2026. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Postdoctoral-Associate-or-Research-Associate/69539