The Role
The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) seeks a Ph.D.-level scientist to join the Flexible Macromolecular Crystallography (FlexX) station supporting a vibrant structural biology community. The role blends (1) expert user support for routine and advanced macromolecular crystallography (MX) and (2) collaborative development of new X-ray diffraction capabilities for questions that push beyond standard methods.
Recent FlexX advances—now available to users and still being refined—include fixed-target serial crystallography, support for diffuse scattering experiments, and a diamond anvil cell (DAC) designed for MX.
Priority application areas include:
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Ambient-temperature crystallography, including serial approaches
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High-pressure methods (DAC and high-pressure cryocooling), especially to trap intermediates in crystallo
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Extreme biology conditions (e.g., anoxic, high/low salinity or pH, specific metals)
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Diffuse scattering to probe conformational ensembles and molecular motions
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Future development of time-resolved and dynamic MX, building on existing capabilities and collaborative partnerships
The scientist will also occasionally assist at the MacCHESS BioSAXS station and contribute to cross-beamline user support and methods development.
This position is jointly funded by two CHESS sub-facilities, the NSF-funded Center for High-Energy X-ray Sciences at CHESS (CHEXS, an NSF-supported program) and the Macromolecular Diffraction Facility of the Cornell High-Energy Synchrotron Source (MacCHESS, an NIH-supported National Resource) and will involve collaborative projects and beamline/user support across both programs.
Responsibilities
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Support an active user community, including in-person and remote users from NSF, NIH, Industry and Academia, who are engaged in employing x-ray techniques to characterize a variety of biological systems.
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Creatively contribute to the development of new MX synchrotron methods and techniques, from experimental hardware to data reduction and analysis required by users.
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Build and maintain effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders, including facility users, funding agencies, and collaborators at other institutions. This includes promoting and disseminating MacCHESS/CHEXS developments and capabilities to the structural biology community.
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Maintain an individual record of scholarship and contribute to the scholarly output of the lab through internal research highlights, publications in peer reviewed journals, grant and report writing, and presentations at national and international conferences.
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Mentor students and postdoctoral researchers in synchrotron and MX techniques.
Essential Qualifications
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PhD or equivalent in structural biology, biophysics, chemistry, or a related field and 4-5 years post-PhD experience.
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Interest and ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment.
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Solid record of scientific publications and achievement.
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Passion for contributing to an environment that builds individual and organizational effectiveness.
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Ability to communicate effectively with technical experts, operations staff, and researchers at all levels, including students, postdocs, interns, and facility users.
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Experience with complex experimental instrumentation.
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Proficiency in science communication, written and oral, formal and informal.
Preference will be given to applicants with a background in macromolecular crystallography and/or biological high-pressure studies, including experience in serial MX methods and/or biological high-pressure studies, particularly geared toward structural biology and involving scattering or diffraction techniques—especially at large user facilities. Experience analyzing large experimental datasets is also an asset.
Compensation
The salary range for this research associate position is $95,000 to $115,000. The initial appointment is for three years and can be renewed based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
How To Apply
Applications should be submitted online via Academic Jobs Online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30863 and should include the following materials:
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Cover letter
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Curriculum vitae
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List of publications
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Statement of Research summarizing examples of recent research, and areas of interest for future work, especially involving synchrotron radiation and MX science and/or high-pressure biology
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Three letters of recommendation
For further information about the position, please contact MacCHESS CHEXS Program Director Jennifer Wierman ([email protected]).
About Us
Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Cornell's inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. Cornell provides great benefits that include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, educational benefits (Employee Degree, Tuition Aid, Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Programs), access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. Our time away from work provisions include 22 days of vacation and 13 holidays, including winter break from December 25th through January 1st. Cornell has been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information, follow the link: Benefits at Cornell.
The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities are helping to keep the United States at the leading edge of scientific research. Located on the central campus of Cornell University in New York State, CHESS is internationally recognized for providing high intensity X-ray beams and advanced instrumentation to scientists and students around the world. The lab is comprised of seven state-of-the-art beamlines, each of which routinely hosts world-leading research in physics, chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, materials science, cultural heritage, and engineering. CHESS is a world leader in innovation for complex sample environments including in situ heating and loading, accelerators, detectors, and x-ray optics and plays a key role in many medical discoveries and scientific breakthroughs, including research that received Nobel Prizes in Chemistry in 2003 and 2009. The 2018 CHESS-U upgrade has expanded the lab’s capabilities to allow scientists to address the most pressing global challenges facing our society. CHESS is committed to engaging with industry, academia and government through its funding from the National Science Foundation, Air Force Research Lab, National Institutes of Health, and New York State.
Pay Range:
Refer to Posting Language
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience.
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
Academic Discipline
Unique applicable skills.
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].
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2025-10-13
Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
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