Job Description
Posting Details Posting Detail Information
Working Title Research Scientists I / II - Advanced Laser Diagnostics - Open Pool
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202401829AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Number of Vacancies Work Hours/Week Proposed Annual Salary Range Research Scientist I - $50,000-$90,000; Research Scientist II $75,000-$125,000; Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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- Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in !
Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 12/31/2025
Description of Work Unit Colorado State University is a premier public research institution, with over 34,000 students and a focus on sustainability. CSU offers a diverse range of academic programs, including 76 undergraduate degrees, 114 graduate degrees, and 21 professional master's programs. Renowned for its world-class research, CSU attracts over $370 million in annual research funding, ranking second nationally in federal research support for universities without a medical school.
Situated in Fort Collins, a community of approximately 170,000, CSU benefits from its location along the Colorado Front Range, nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Fort Collins consistently ranks as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States, boasting a pleasant climate, excellent schools, and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU is a key player in the university's academic landscape. With 46 faculty members, 13 staff members, 1,000 undergraduate students, and 150 graduate students, it stands as one of the largest and most productive departments on campus. State-of-the-art labs provide hands-on experience for undergraduates, while annual research expenditures exceeding $13 million offer groundbreaking opportunities for graduate students, particularly in areas of health science, materials science, and research on energy and environment.
Our research group, the Center for Laser Sensing and Diagnostics, led by Professor Azer Yalin, is housed within state-of-the-art facilities at CSU's Powerhouse Energy Campus and CSU's Engineering Research Center. Our group is a research leader in the area of laser diagnostics of plasma, electric propulsion, combustion, and the atmosphere.
For more information, you can visit the Department of Mechanical Engineering's website at
Position Summary The Center for Laser Sensing and Diagnostics (Yalin group) at Colorado State University is, on an ongoing basis, seeking highly skilled, motivated, and independent Research Scientist I or II to contribute laser diagnostic expertise to our group's research efforts. We are looking for candidates who can support one or more projects in broad areas of advanced propulsion and/or hydrogen emissions monitoring.
Research on the advanced propulsion side is oriented at developing and applying new laser diagnostics to electric propulsion (EP) systems with emphasis on detailed, spatially- and temporally- resolved, species-specific measurements. A new effort, to be funded by the USSF, seeks to examine operation of EP devices on molecular propellants. A key step will be to develop novel Doppler-based LIF diagnostics for measuring ion velocities (IVDFs) of relevant ionic species in these systems. For the molecular propellants it will also be important to measure rotationally- and vibrationally- resolved species populations.
Our effort on measuring atmospheric hydrogen emissions are in support of the burgeoning hydrogen economy and will be supported by ARPA-E H2Sense program. The approach, for sensitive and quantitative measurements, is to use the Photoacoustic Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy (PARS) method. Research tasks will include design, development and optimization of the full PARS system including a Raman cell pumping scheme, a photoacoustic cavity, and an optical multi-pass cell (around the PA cavity) to increase signal levels. The PARS sensor will be developed and tested for real-world outdoor usage, in partnership with NOAA and NREL, with an eye to developing a commercial product.
We seek research scientists who can contribute to one or both of the above projects. Research scientists will also be expected to produce high-quality research and present their work at conferences and via peer-reviewed publications.
Positions may become available throughout the year. Ranking and qualification within the levels are done on a case-by-case basis with factors that include the complexity of research and specialized skills. Annual terms and reappointment may depend on performance and/or continued availability of funding.
Required Job Qualifications Research Scientist I is for individuals with a PhD and less than 3 years of relevant professional experience.
Research Scientist II is for individuals with a PhD and 3-7 years of relevant professional experience.
- Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of total experience (can include graduate school) in hands-on laser spectroscopy and/or laser diagnostics.
- Ability to design, conduct, analyze and publish experimental research as evidenced by candidate's publication record.
Preferred Job Qualifications - Demonstrated experience with trace-gas or species-specific detection via laser spectroscopy using LIF, TLDAS, WMS, cavity ring-down spectroscopy or photoacoustic spectroscopy, with application to plasma or combustion diagnostics or to atmospheric sensing.
- Demonstrated experience in the operation of plasmas and plasma sources (e.g., cathodes, ion thrusters, Hall effect thrusters) within vacuum chamber setups and knowledge of associated vacuum hardware (pumps, flow systems, pressure gauges etc.).
- Demonstrated experience with pulsed laser diagnostic techniques for gas-phase (or plasma) measurements including Raman scattering, stimulated Raman scattering, CARS, PARS, Rayleigh scattering, Thomson scattering etc.
Essential Duties
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants Please submit (upload) the following documents:
- Cover letter addressing the requirements of the position
- CV or Resume
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
This pool is valid through December 31, 2025. Individuals wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Azer Yalin, Azer.Yalin@ColoState.EDU
EEO Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Job Tags
Contract work, Temporary work, Live in, Work at office, Local area,