The CNI Shared Materials Characterization Lab (SMCL) consists of advanced characterization instruments in nanotechnology to study the properties of materials. The SMCL director oversees this facility working independently but is part of the larger CNI labs team reporting to the director of the CNI labs. The SMCL director needs to demonstrate mastery in surface characterization tools (X-ray crystallography, Magnetometers, Spectrophotometers, Ellipsometry, Atomic Force Microscopy, and tools within a glove box). They support research projects of users of the lab and develop new characterization techniques to aid the advanced research projects of users. The SMCL director teaches lab users how to plan their experiments using the suitable equipment configuration and how to opera