Post Doctoral Research Associate

Physics World; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Physics. The role focuses on interdisciplinary materials research, including correlated electron systems, topological states, and superconductivity.

The successful candidate will work on ultralow temperature high-field transport measurements and gain exposure to advanced crystal growth and epitaxial deposition techniques.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics or related field required by 08/01/2026.
• Experience: transport measurement.
• Knowledge on correlated electron systems/magnetic materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform sample synthesis and characterization, mainly crystal growth, film deposition, transport measurements, synchrotron x-ray diffraction/neutron scattering.

Skills

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Communication skills

Education

PhD in physics or related field

Job description

Job Description

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate at the Department of Physics, University of Tennessee (UTK). The successful applicant will carry out interdisciplinary materials research that touches on a wide range of topics such as correlated electron systems, topological states, frustrated magnetism, spintronics and superconductivity. One of the focuses of his/her research will be on ultralow temperature high-field transport measurements that probe exotic collective excitations of various emergent quantum states in interface-engineered materials and devices. The successful applicant will also gain exposure to advanced synthesis techniques of single crystal growth and epitaxial deposition. Research will be performed at the UTK campus and national facilities, such as synchrotrons and high magnetic field laboratory.

Job Details

Job Description

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate at the Department of Physics, University of Tennessee (UTK). The successful applicant will carry out interdisciplinary materials research that touches on a wide range of topics such as correlated electron systems, topological states, frustrated magnetism, spintronics and superconductivity. One of the focuses of his/her research will be on ultralow temperature high-field transport measurements that probe exotic collective excitations of various emergent quantum states in interface-engineered materials and devices. The successful applicant will also gain exposure to advanced synthesis techniques of single crystal growth and epitaxial deposition. Research will be performed at the UTK campus and national facilities, such as synchrotrons and high magnetic field laboratory.

Responsibilities

Perform sample synthesis and characterization, mainly crystal growth, film deposition, transport measurements, synchrotron x-ray diffraction/neutron scattering.

Qualifications

The applicant should have a PhD in physics or in related fields. Prior experience with one or several of the above techniques and topics is desired. Experience with programming software, such as Labview and MATLAB, will also be a plus. The applicant should possess excellent written and oral communication skills and should be strongly self-motivated and eager to learn and work with others in a highly collaborative research environment.

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD in physics or related field must be completed by 08/01/2026;
• Experience: transport measurement;
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: knowledge on correlated electron systems/magnetic materials.

Work Location

• Knoxville, TN;
• The work mainly will be performed in Institute of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM).
  

Benefits

• Find more information on UT Benefits: https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/
  

About The Department

The Department has an exemplary research record, with eight professors earning NSF CAREER awards since 2012, eight professors among the world’s top two percent of physicists based on citation count, the award of the prestigious American Physical Society 2021 Bonner Prize, eleven APS Fellows, and four AAAS Fellows. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is Tennessee’s flagship state research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates and a premier graduate institution with a number of nationally and internationally ranked programs and with national and international leadership in numerous fields.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.