Postdoctoral Research Associate

PREM; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full salary and benefits

Travel and professional development

Interdisciplinary collaborations

Job summary

The University of Georgia's Advanced Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The role supports two years of full salary, benefits, and professional development, with opportunities to publish, develop proposals, and collaborate across engineering, materials science, and applied physics.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field and demonstrate the ability to work independently within multidisciplinary teams focused on

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (or near completion) in Mechanical/Materials/Polymer/Manufacturing Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience with independent and collaborative research.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Generate and lead independent and collaborative research at the interface of advanced manufacturing and materials.
• Publish high-impact journal articles and contribute to proposals.
• Mentor students and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, materials science, and applied physics.

Skills

Independent research

Strong communication

Collaborative mindset

Publications track record

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical/Materials/Polymer/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

DMA, DSC, TGA, SEM, TEM, AFM, Rheometer, tribo-indenter, profilometer, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, WAXD, SAXS, SANS, Goniometer, tensiometer

Job description

The Advanced Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AMAML) at the University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position. This award supports the recruitment of new postdoctoral talent to UGA and provides full salary, benefits, and professional development support for two years. The postdoctoral scholar will conduct independent and collaborative research at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, functional materials, polymers, and multiscale mechanics, with opportunities to engage in high-impact publications, proposal development, and interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, materials science, and applied physics.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $60,000 per year (fully funded for two years)
• Fringe Benefits: Up to $29,700 per year
• Total Annual Compensation: Up to $89,700 with extra travel support
• Professional Development Support: $4,000/year for conference travel and/or training (total $8,000 over two years)
• Salary Supplementation: Permitted through non-Moore funding sources
• All funds will be supported by: June 30, 2028

Research Areas of Interest

• Advanced and convergent manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing, fiber spinning, coating technologies)
• Polymer science and engineering, with biological or biomedical experience preferred
• Functional composites and bio-derived materials
• Multiscale mechanics and process-structure-property relationships
• AI- and data-enabled manufacturing and materials design
• Sustainable and circular materials manufacturing

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or be near completion) in one of the following or closely related fields:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Polymer Science and Engineering

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong motivation and ability to work independently
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• A strong record (or clear potential) for peer-reviewed publications

Manufacturing & Experimental Skills

• Mechanical design and fabrication of experimental setups
• Manufacturing across nano-micro-macro length scales
• Additive manufacturing, coating, spinning, or extrusion processes
• Mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and surface characterization
• Experience with tools such as: DMA, DSC, TGA, SEM, TEM, AFM, Rheometer, tribo-indenter, profilometer, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, WAXD, SAXS, SANS, Goniometer, tensiometer

Modeling and Simulation (Optional and Preferred)

• Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS, ABAQUS, COMSOL)
• Molecular Dynamics (MATLAB, LAMMPS)
• Multiphysics or multiscale modeling

Professional Development Opportunities

• Publish in high-impact journals
• Lead or co-lead research proposals
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students
• Participate in interdisciplinary initiatives at UGA
• Build an independent research profile for academic or industry careers

Eligibility Note

This position is exclusively for individuals new to the University of Georgia. Applicants must not have been affiliated with UGA prior to July 1, 2026.

Position Type Postdoctoral

Location In Person

Duration 2 years (Fiscal Years 2027–2028)

Compensation $60,000/year (total compensation up to $89,700/year with benefits and travel support)