Post Doctoral Associate

1000scholars; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University is seeking a highly qualified researcher to conduct experimental and computational work in nanophotonics, plasmonics, and nanoscale light–matter interactions. The role focuses on designing, fabricating, and optical characterization of nanostructured photonic systems and integrating quantum dots with plasmonic nanostructures.

The candidate will use lithography, cleanroom processing, and advanced optical measurement techniques to explore Purcell enhancement and strong coupling

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent graduate training in a relevant field.
• Experience with nanophotonics, plasmonics, or optical metamaterials.
• Hands-on cleanroom fabrication and optical laboratory techniques.
• Experience with COMSOL, Lumerical, or similar software.

Responsibilities

• Design, model, fabricate, and characterize nanophotonic/plasmonic structures.
• Develop deterministic placement of quantum dots near plasmonic structures.
• Perform cleanroom fabrication including lithography and deposition.
• Construct and operate optical experiments with lasers, microscopes, and spectrometers.
• Analyze results and develop physical models; prepare publications.

Skills

Nanophotonics

Plasmonics

Quantum dots

Light–matter interactions

Nanoscale fabrication

Lithography

Electron-beam lithography

Optical spectroscopy

Cryogenics/optical cryostat

Detector systems

Cleanroom techniques

Experimental design

Data analysis

Python/MATLAB

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Optical Engineering

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

Lumerical

FDTD

FEM

Three-dimensional full-wave simulations

Job description

Position Description

WORK PERFORMING

The applicant will conduct experimental and computational research in nanophotonics, plasmonics, optical metamaterials, and nanoscale light–matter interactions. The research will focus on the design, fabrication, and optical characterization of nanostructured photonic and plasmonic systems for enhancing and controlling the interaction of light with nanoscale emitters. A major component of the research will involve the development of lithographically patterned plasmonic structures, including nanopatch antennas and related nanocavity architectures, and their integration with semiconductor quantum dots and other nanoscale emitters. The applicant will develop techniques for deterministic positioning of individual or controlled numbers of quantum dots at selected locations within or beneath lithographically defined plasmonic nanostructures, with the goal of controlling emitter–cavity coupling and electromagnetic field enhancement. The research will investigate fundamental enhancement phenomena including local-field enhancement, spontaneous-emission modification, Purcell enhancement, radiative and nonradiative processes, collective emitter behavior, and strong light–matter interactions. The proposal specifically builds on nanocavity-coupled QDs exhibiting large field and Purcell enhancements and seeks to extend stochastic emitter placement to deterministic structures and arrays. The applicant will also contribute to the conception and development of new photonic and plasmonic structures and new approaches for controlling light–matter interactions at the nanoscale.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Design, model, fabricate, and experimentally characterize nanophotonic and plasmonic structures for enhanced light–matter interaction.
• Design and fabricate lithographically patterned nanopatch antennas, plasmonic nanocavities, nanoparticle arrays, and related nanoscale optical structures.
• Develop and implement methods for deterministic placement of individual or controlled numbers of quantum dots at prescribed locations relative to lithographically defined plasmonic structures.
• Perform cleanroom fabrication using electron-beam and/or optical lithography, metal and dielectric deposition, lift-off, etching, alignment, and related nanofabrication processes.
• Construct and operate optical experiments incorporating lasers, microscopes, spectrometers, detectors, positioning systems, and associated optical instrumentation.
• Perform optical characterization of nanostructures and nanoscale emitters, including microscopy, spectroscopy, and emission measurements.
• Investigate physical mechanisms responsible for optical enhancement, including local-field enhancement, Purcell enhancement, modification of spontaneous emission, radiative and nonradiative decay, and emitter–cavity coupling.
• Use computational electromagnetic tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics, Lumerical, or equivalent methods to design structures, calculate electromagnetic fields and optical modes, and interpret experimental results.
• Investigate collective optical phenomena in arrays and ensembles of emitters and nanostructures where appropriate. The underlying program specifically anticipates coupling QD excitons to collective plasmonic modes and controlling QD position and number to optimize coupling strength.
• Work collaboratively with researchers developing quantum-dot materials, photonic structures, nanointegration techniques, and optical characterization methods across the broader research program.
• Analyze experimental and computational results and develop physical models to explain observed behavior.
• Prepare research results for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at scientific conferences.
• Contribute to technical reports, research meetings, and other program deliverables.
• Contribute creatively to the identification and development of new concepts in nanophotonics, plasmonics, enhanced light–matter interaction, quantum-emitter coupling, and related areas.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

A Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field is required.

The successful applicant should have graduate-level training and research experience in one or more of the following areas: nanophotonics, plasmonics, optical metamaterials, quantum optics, semiconductor nanostructures, nanoscale optics, or related fields.

Training and hands-on experience with cleanroom fabrication and optical laboratory techniques are important for this position. Experience with computational electromagnetic methods and commercial simulation platforms such as COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Lumerical, or equivalent software is highly desirable. The proposal itself uses three-dimensional full-wave COMSOL simulations to calculate electric-field enhancement in the QD/plasmonic nanocavity structures.

EXPERIENCE:

Candidates should have demonstrated research experience in experimental photonics, plasmonics, nanophotonics, or a closely related area. Experience with nanofabrication and cleanroom processing is strongly preferred, including techniques such as electron-beam lithography, photolithography, thin-film deposition, lift-off, etching, and nanoscale alignment and registration.

Experience integrating nanoscale optical emitters with lithographically fabricated structures would be particularly valuable. Relevant experience may include quantum dots, color centers, two-dimensional materials, molecules, or other nanoscale emitters.

The successful candidate should have experience constructing and operating optical experiments using lasers, optical components, microscopy systems, spectrometers, detectors, and associated instrumentation. Experience with photoluminescence spectroscopy, time-resolved measurements, single-emitter microscopy, confocal microscopy, or related techniques is desirable.

Experience with numerical modeling of optical and electromagnetic structures using COMSOL, Lumerical, FDTD, FEM, or related computational approaches is also highly desirable.

SKILLS:

• Nanophotonics and plasmonics
• Nanoscale light–matter interactions and enhancement physics
• Cleanroom processing and nanofabrication
• Electron-beam and/or optical lithography
• Thin-film deposition, lift-off, etching, and nanoscale patterning
• High-precision alignment and registration of nanoscale structures
• Integration and positioning of quantum dots or other nanoscale emitters
• Laser systems and free-space optical systems
• Optical and fluorescence microscopy
• Photoluminescence and optical spectroscopy
• Time-resolved and/or single-emitter optical measurements
• Full-wave electromagnetic simulation using COMSOL, Lumerical, or related platforms
• Numerical data analysis and scientific programming
• Design and interpretation of experiments involving nanoscale optical enhancement

Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke University aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.