Postdoctoral Research Associate- Physics and Astronomy

Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate- Physics and Astronomy

Position Purpose:

The Research Associate will conduct ultracold atomic physics research with Prof. Nathan Lundblad of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Prof. Lundblad's field of research is ultracold atomic physics, particularly the study of Bose-Einstein condensates in tailored potentials (e.g. optical lattices or ultracold bubbles). Research with Prof. Lundblad would be carried out through participation in the NASA CAL program involving an ultracold atomic physics experiment aboard the International Space Station, and through a fully-equipped BEC lab at Bates College.

This position offers the opportunity for the applicant to become involved in the educational life of the Bates College Department of Physics and Astronomy through mentorship of undergraduate students, guidance of senior thesis and/or summer research projects, guest lectures, and department events. The term of this position is two years.

Job Duties:

• Lab responsibilities including the regular monitoring of essential laboratory equipment as well as its periodic maintenance.
• Research includes preparing and modeling ultracold atomic physics experiments.
• Collecting and analyzing data as appropriate.
• Assisting in manuscript preparation and grant reporting requirements as appropriate.
• Supervision of semester lab assistants.
• Preparing presentations for conferences.
• Representing the lab and the work of the lab at conferences.
• Other research duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Doctorate in physics or a related field; ABD considered.

Experience

• Strong background in experimental physics as associated with graduate or postdoctoral work in the field.
• Some familiarity with Mathematica or similar, Labview or related control implementations, and a formal
  language such as Python.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Experience in ultracold atomic physics is ideal, and experience in relevant areas of laser and atomic physics technique is highly desirable.
• Ability to exercise judgement within defined laboratory practices and techniques.
• Exceptional communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships. Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude.
• Ability to work with a high level of independence and handle multiple research priorities.
• Ability to work as part of a research team.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Exceptional organizational and critical thinking skills, lab notebook practices and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules as needed or required.

Benefits:Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff. Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Discrimination Policy.

Inquiries concerning the college's policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to Gwen Lexow, Title IX Officer, 207-786-6445 or via email at glexow@bates.edu.

About Bates:

Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college, attracting 2,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world.

Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to educating the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. Committed to opportunity and excellence, Bates has always admitted students without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin.

Cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action, Bates prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world. Bates engages the forces - intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology - that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.

Bates has highly competitive admissions, graduates over 90 percent of its entering students, and more than half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates employs 200 faculty members and 550 staff.

The college is proud of deep roots in the Lewiston/Auburn community, Maine's second-largest urban area with a population of approximately 65,000. Bates is located on a beautiful, 133-acre, traditional New England campus in Lewiston, an emerging city with an entrepreneurial climate, a lively arts scene, and a dynamic business community. Bates is 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 350 miles north of New York City.