Postdoctoral Scholar - Walker/Cronin Labs
Company: Arizona State University
Location: Tempe
Posted on: April 2, 2026
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Job Description:
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): 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
Required Qualifications: 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 Desired Qualifications: 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
Keywords: Arizona State University, Tempe , Postdoctoral Scholar - Walker/Cronin Labs, Science, Research & Development , Tempe, Arizona
