Matthew Fraund
Published Research PhD Physical and Analytical Chemist with Python and Teaching Experience
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About
PhD-level Physical and Analytical Chemist with 5+ years of R&D and data analysis experience at a national laboratory and in private consulting. Proven expert in designing and executing complex analytical programs, specializing in advanced instrumentation, method development, and spectroscopic analysis. Combines hands-on laboratory leadership from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with long-term data analysis for environmental monitoring.
Seeking a Process Engineer role to apply physical/analytical chemistry and surface science expertise within the semiconductor or advanced manufacturing industry.
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2019-10 – 2022-07)
Led full-lifecycle R&D projects as a subject matter expert at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) user facility and at the Free-Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH). Designed and executed complex analytical programs to characterize novel chemical dynamics at various interfaces.
- Led full-lifecycle R&D projects as a subject matter expert at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) user facility and at the Free-Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH)
- Designed and executed complex analytical programs to characterize novel chemical dynamics at solid/gas, liquid/vapor, and solid/solid (metal/semiconductor) interfaces
- Built custom Python DAQ drivers to replace legacy vendor software for instrument control
- Troubleshooting complex hardware (both physical and circuit-based systems) that failed or needed more efficiency
- Developed, analyzed, and improved recipes for thin film metal/semiconductor samples
- Developed and implemented new analytical methods using advanced instrumentation, including time-resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
- Managed all project phases: from proposal writing and experimental planning to purchasing and procurement of materials and instrumentation
- Performed advanced data analysis on large-scale spectroscopic datasets, authoring and preparing results for publication in peer-reviewed journals
Contracted Research Assistant at Sonoma Technologies Inc. (2019-06 – Present)
Key research assistant for a high-value environmental consulting firm, demonstrating over 5 years of continuous, reliable project support.
- Serve as a key research assistant for a high-value environmental consulting firm, demonstrating over 5 years of continuous, reliable project support
- Perform complex data collection and data analysis for large-scale environmental field campaigns focused on ambient aerosol monitoring
- Created custom built and open source Matlab GUI's and Python packages (PollutionRose)
- Contribute to manuscript preparation and technical reporting, translating raw experimental data into actionable scientific reports
AI Technical Tutor/Subject Matter Expert – Chemistry at Mercor (2025-04 – Present)
AI Tutoring through Mercor contracted to Meta, xAI, Google, and other anonymous contractors
- AI Tutoring through Mercor contracted to: Meta, xAI, Google, and other anonymous contractors
- Rubric creation, prompt evaluation, AI stumping, data labelling, reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF)
Adjunct Chemistry Instructor at Diablo Valley College (2022-08 – Present)
Instruct and manage general chemistry courses and laboratories for 40 students per semester.
- Instruct and manage general chemistry courses and laboratories for 40 students per semester
- Demonstrate strong leadership, organization, and complex communication skills by simplifying advanced chemical concepts for a diverse student body
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Bioanalytical and Physical Chemistry – University of the Pacific (2019-06)
Bachelors of Science (BS) in Chemistry – University of California, Berkeley (2012-11)
Associates of Arts (AA) in Mathematics – Diablo Valley College (2010-06)
