Postdoctoral Associate - Materials Science & Nanoengineering

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

Job summary

Rice University in Houston seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help build AI-enabled, cloud-accessible autonomous laboratories for next-generation electronic and quantum materials. The role integrates materials science, AI for science, experimental automation, and cloud infrastructure to enable remote, secure experimentation.

The successful candidate will bridge AI/digital frameworks with physical synthesis and characterization, mentor students, and publish research on autonomous

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develops AI/ML frameworks and autonomous workflows for materials synthesis.
• Connects AI frameworks with synthesis and characterization instruments via APIs and data pipelines.
• Designs a web-based UI and cloud framework for secure remote access to READINESS infrastructure.
• Mentors graduate students and publishes research on AI-enabled autonomous experimentation.

Skills

AI/ML applications

Experimental materials science

Python programming

Interdisciplinary communication

Leadership

Education

PhD in Materials Science

Job description

Job Description

The NSF-funded READINESS Programmable Cloud Laboratory (PCL) at Rice 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 ofmaterials 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 to be 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 engineering problems.
• 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 closely related 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

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | RiceUniversity

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 also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. 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 at [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.