Position Summary

The Center for Advanced Microscopy (CAM), a University Core facility, is the central microscopy laboratory for the MSU campus, serving users from a wide variety of disciplines. We seek applicants for the position of Physical Sciences Transmission Microscopy Specialist. Duties include teaching and training of transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy (TEM/STEM) related to material science, engineering, physics, chemistry, and geology, assisting research users with S/TEM sample preparation and data collection, and microscope oversight and maintenance.  The candidate will be the primary operator of the current JEOL 2200FS S/TEM and a new aberration-corrected analytical S/TEM, currently on order.

The appointment will be in the Academic Specialist system, full time, annual year (12 months) with recurring funding. The successful candidate will be appointed for a probationary period of three years and may be reappointed for an additional period of three years. If an academic specialist is appointed beyond the two probationary periods, continuing status is granted. The desired start date is January 5, 2026.  The CAM serves students, researchers, and clients with different backgrounds; the successful candidate will foster a welcoming and supportive teaching, training, and laboratory environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Physical sciences or engineering

Minimum Requirements

Three years of experience in materials characterization using transmission electron microscopes.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with transmission electron microscopes including the following imaging and analytical modes: conventional transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, aberration-correction, electron energy loss spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, selected area electron diffraction, convergent beam electron diffraction, 4D-STEM, and energy filtered imaging.
• Experience in transmission electron microscopy teaching, training, and/or oversight.
• Experience in physical science transmission electron microscopy sample preparation.
• Familiarity with solid state and crystalline materials, including crystallography and diffraction. Familiarity with biological and biomedical applications of transmission electron microscopy.
• Peer-reviewed publications using transmission electron microscopy, particularly demonstrating state-of-the-art methodologies.
• Additional experience with other electron beam instruments (EPMA, SEM, and/or FIB).
• Experience troubleshooting electronics and mechanical equipment.

Required Application Materials

Letter of interest (no more than 3 pages) which describes your interest in the position and addresses the criteria in the position description, including the qualifications.

CV/resume

Teaching statement (1 page) describing how you approach teaching microscopy courses and training new users

Names of three references with contact information

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin after posting and will continue until the posting is filled. Applications should be submitted online through the careers.msu.edu website. For additional information or to request accommodations please contact the Committee Chair, Dr. Andy Madden, maddenan@msu.edu

Review of Applications Begins On

09/15/2025

Website

https://www.cam.msu.edu

Department Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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