Postdoctoral Associate - AI Materials Science & Nanoengineering

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The NSF-funded READINESS Programmable Cloud Laboratory (PCL) at Rice University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help develop AI-enabled, cloud-accessible autonomous laboratories for next-generation electronic and quantum materials.

The position sits at the intersection of materials science, AI for Science, experimental automation, and cloud infrastructure, bridging AI with physical synthesis and characterization systems to enable secure, remotely accessible

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science or closely related field.
• No additional experience beyond graduate research required.

Responsibilities

• Develops AI/ML and agentic AI frameworks, digital twins, and closed-loop optimization workflows for autonomous materials synthesis.
• Connects AI frameworks with physical synthesis and characterization instruments via APIs, communication protocols, data pipelines, and control interfaces.
• Designs and constructs a web-based user interface and cloud-access framework enabling external users to securely access and utilize READINESS infrastructure remotely.
• Collaborates with researchers from materials science and computer science, serving as a technical bridge between the two communities.
• Helps lead and mentor a small group of graduate students and publishes research in AI-enabled autonomous experimentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

AI/ML for science

Materials science fundamentals

Python programming

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science or closely related field

Job description

Job Description

The NSF-funded READINESS Programmable Cloud Laboratory (PCL) atRice University invites applications for a Postdoctoral ResearchAssociate to help develop AI-enabled, cloud-accessible autonomouslaboratories for next-generation electronic and quantum materials.The position works at the intersection of materials science, AI forScience, experimental automation, and cloud infrastructure,bridging AI and digital frameworks with physical synthesis andcharacterization systems to enable secure, remotely accessibleautonomous experimentation.

We seek a highly motivated researcher at the intersection of materials science, AI for Science, experimental automation, andcloud infrastructure. The successful candidate will bridgeAI/digital frameworks with physical synthesis and characterizationsystems and help enable secure, remotely accessible autonomousexperimentation.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties tobe performed in-person at Rice University Campus. Per Rice policy440, work arrangements may be subject to change

Hiring Range

$60,000 annually

This is a one year, full-time, benefits eligible position funded bya grant, soft and/or restricted funds, and may be renewed based oncontinued funding availability, research needs, andperformance.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• No additional experience beyond graduate research required

Skills

• Strong experience applying AI/ML to scientific or engineeringproblems.
• Solid understanding of experimental materials science.
• Strong programming skills, preferably Python.
• Excellent interdisciplinary communication, teamwork, andleadership skills.

Preferences

• Extensive research experience in AI for Science or a closelyrelated area.
• Experience with autonomous or self-driving laboratories,agentic AI or LLM-based scientific agents, digital twins, Bayesianoptimization, or active learning.
• Experience with laboratory automation, instrument control,robotics, materials informatics, cloud computing, scientific datainfrastructure, or web-based user-interface development.
• Experience integrating software with laboratory hardware orcommercial scientific instruments.

Essential Functions

• Develops AI/ML and agentic AI frameworks, digital twins, andclosed-loop optimization workflows for autonomous materialssynthesis.
• Connects AI frameworks with physical synthesis andcharacterization instruments through APIs, communication protocols,data pipelines, and hardware/software control interfaces.
• Designs and constructs a web-based user interface andcloud-access framework enabling external users to securely accessand utilize READINESS infrastructure remotely.
• Collaborates with researchers from materials science andcomputer science, serving as a technical bridge between the twocommunities.
• Helps lead and mentor a small group of graduate students andpublishes research in AI-enabled autonomous experimentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal EmploymentOpportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into ourcandidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, geneticinformation, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice alsoprovides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons withdisabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodationfor any part of the application or hiring process, please get intouch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail] . Thank you for yourinterest in employment with Rice University.