Postdoctoral Research Associate Mead Lab Plastics Engineering

Job description

*Job no:* 528799 *Position type:* Staff Full Time *Benefit Status:* Benefited-Union *Campus:* UMass Lowell *Department:* Plastics Engineering *Salary:* Anticipate salary of $50,700/year, formal range $50,000-$67,000 *Applications Open:* Oct 20 2025 *Applications Close: *Open until filledGeneral Summary of Position: We are seeking a candidate for Postdoctoral Researcher working, who is expected to perform experimental analytical research independently and with faculty and students at Department of Plastics Engineering and the Nanomanufacturing Center of Excellence.

The successful candidate will conduct research related to thermoplastics polymers, elastomers, soft electronics, soft robotics, advanced printing technologies, and textile electronics as applicable.

A strong knowledge of polymer sciences, including materials formulation, synthesis, characterization, testing and manufacturing, and electronics are essential.

Regular work will involve –(a) conducting independent research; (b) participation in meetings; (c) write reports, journal articles and/or grant proposals and (d) mentoring undergraduate/graduate students.

Essential Job Duties: 1.* Working on Research Projects at the Nanomanufacturing Center*: This will be done alongside and under the supervision of Dr. Joey Mead.

This specifically involve: * Grant and proposal writing * Project management * Conducting the required data-collection and analysis for center projects * Ensuring all project-related activities are conducted on time and to the highest standard.

* Prepare status reports and deliverables in collaboration with and under the direction of the Principal Investigators.

* Serve as a liaison between Nanomanufacturing Center, and collaborating research 2.

*Attend Meetings related to the Nanomanufacturing Center and their research projects.

* * Conduct weekly group meeting between PI, Post-Doc’s and students * Meet with potential Industry collaborators.

3.

*Supervision of Graduate Student:* * Meet weekly with each student to review their research project, progress, papers and to develop path forward.

*4.

Undertake activities to develop your own research and the research of the Nanomanufacturing Center: *The position will be expected to dedicate time to their own research and writing activity.

It is expected that these activities will also support the wider development of the Nanomanufacturing Center, in accordance with the mission of the Center.

Example activities include: * Writing briefs and research publications * Attending conferences and presenting results of research findings * Developing and engaging in discussions of future directions of the Center’s research *5.Writing Proposals * Promote the University’s commitment to customer service by*:* * Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.

* Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.

* Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Other Job Duties: 1.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Required): Education: * PhD in field of Plastics/Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Electrical and Computer engineering, or related field.

Experience: * Minimum 6 years of experience (including MS and PhD research experience) in developing advanced polymeric materials.

Candidates with 1 post-PhD research experience will be preferred.

Skills: * Elastomer processing and characterizations such as elastomer compounding, thermal forming, extrusion, rubber process analyzer, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis.

* Polymer synthesis and manufacturing such as condensation polymerization, 3D printing, advanced printing (2-photon polymerization, inkjet printing, direct ink writing), membrane fabrication, and coating technologies.

* Optional: understand how to apply soft rubber to soft robotics, soft electronics, stretchable electronics.

Working Conditions: * This role will involve occasional domestic travel that may include overnight or day travel Special Instructions to Applicants: Only current UML Employees within the Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.

All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; however, the posting may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

This position is contingent upon funding, and is for *one-year* contingent on productivity, successful performance and the availability of funding.

This position is full-time, benefited grants funded.

Grade PD.

Formal salary range of $50,000 - $76,000.

Anticipate hiring salary of $50,700.

Please include a resume, cover letter and sample of scholarly work/publication with your application.

Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.

Submission of research interest is optional.

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