What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Scholar - Walker/Cronin Labs position at Arizona State University?
The Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University in collaboration with the Chemistry Department at the University of Glasgow, invites applications for two open positions developing assembly theory methods for life detection, cheminformatics databases and protocols and standards for origins of life research. The positions are targeted to begin as soon as possible, but the start date is flexible.
The labs of Prof. Walker at Arizona State University and Prof. Cronin at the University of Glasgow have a long-standing collaboration developing new theory and experiments to advance the forefront of origin of life research. This effort has included developing a meteorological approach to complexity for life detection using assembly theory. A key implication of this approach is that experimental protocols in the lab can be implemented to measure the emergence of life. We are working to design experiments and theory to underly a digital, chemical search engine approach to the solving the origin of life. This includes database development and planning of standards and protocols for data and experiments, which will become part of a larger effort to enact large-scale origin of life experiments using digital chemistry technologies mediated by a deep theoretical understanding of the constructed complexity that is life.
We are seeking one to two candidates to work jointly between the Walker and Cronin labs on database development and standards for origins of life research as part of this larger theoretical and experimental effort. The positions will primarily be based in Arizona, at the Arizona State University Tempe campus; however, spending part time in Glasgow is expected (to be discussed on individual basis with the candidates with respect to how much time will be spent at each institution, considering training needs, project needs, technical areas of expertise, lab fit etc.). Ideal candidates will have technical skills in software development, cheminformatics, origins of life chemistry, life detection, spectrometry, or related areas. The appointment is fiscal year, full-time, with competitive compensation and significant research travel support. The positions have funding for up to three years.
About The Beyond Center and the ASU-Glasgow Collaboration on the Origin of Life
Individuals hired for these positions will be part of the Beyond Center (https://beyond.asu.edu/), the School of Earth and Space Exploration (https://sese.asu.edu/) and the Walker lab (https://emergence.asu.edu/) at Arizona State University, as well as part of the Cronin group (https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/) and the School of Chemistry (http://gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/ ) at the University of Glasgow.
About The College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
Essential Functions (may Include)
The labs of Prof. Walker at Arizona State University and Prof. Cronin at the University of Glasgow have a long-standing collaboration developing new theory and experiments to advance the forefront of origin of life research. This effort has included developing a meteorological approach to complexity for life detection using assembly theory. A key implication of this approach is that experimental protocols in the lab can be implemented to measure the emergence of life. We are working to design experiments and theory to underly a digital, chemical search engine approach to the solving the origin of life. This includes database development and planning of standards and protocols for data and experiments, which will become part of a larger effort to enact large-scale origin of life experiments using digital chemistry technologies mediated by a deep theoretical understanding of the constructed complexity that is life.
We are seeking one to two candidates to work jointly between the Walker and Cronin labs on database development and standards for origins of life research as part of this larger theoretical and experimental effort. The positions will primarily be based in Arizona, at the Arizona State University Tempe campus; however, spending part time in Glasgow is expected (to be discussed on individual basis with the candidates with respect to how much time will be spent at each institution, considering training needs, project needs, technical areas of expertise, lab fit etc.). Ideal candidates will have technical skills in software development, cheminformatics, origins of life chemistry, life detection, spectrometry, or related areas. The appointment is fiscal year, full-time, with competitive compensation and significant research travel support. The positions have funding for up to three years.
About The Beyond Center and the ASU-Glasgow Collaboration on the Origin of Life
Individuals hired for these positions will be part of the Beyond Center (https://beyond.asu.edu/), the School of Earth and Space Exploration (https://sese.asu.edu/) and the Walker lab (https://emergence.asu.edu/) at Arizona State University, as well as part of the Cronin group (https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/) and the School of Chemistry (http://gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/ ) at the University of Glasgow.
About The College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
Essential Functions (may Include)
- Design, build and maintain cheminformatics databases for origins of life research, which support scalability and integration with machine learning and experimental workflows
- Develop software tools and computational pipelines for analyzing chemical data, including application of assembly theory, including documentation and guidelines
- Establish standardized protocols and best practices for data collection and experimental procedures in origins of life research
- Develop and refine assembly theory methods for detecting and characterizing signatures of life
- Contribute to theoretical frameworks underpinning the digital chemical search engine approach to solving the origin of life
- Conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersection of chemistry, physics, computer science, artificial intelligence and complexity theory
- Work collaboratively across the Walker (ASU) and Cronin (Glasgow) lab groups, coordinating research activities between the two institutions
- Contribute to scientific publications and grant proposals
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students as appropriate
- Travel between Arizona State University and University of Glasgow as require for research collaboration and training
- Maintain detailed research records and documentation
- Participate in regular progress meetings, planning sessions and team meetings
- Manage time and resources effectively across multi-site research projects
- PhD in Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics or a related field by time of appointment or in the last five years
- Strong record of publications and scientific research contributions in relevant fields
- Strong software development and programming skills
- Demonstrated creative problem-solving, technical and collaborative skills
- Interest in new, interdisciplinary research directions
- Alignment of research interests with the goals of the collaboration
- Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter