Postdoctoral Scholar, Additive Manufacturing

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV); Reno (NV); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to join the College of Engineering. The role focuses on the additive manufacturing of metals and composites under a DoD contract, with opportunities to mentor students and contribute to proposal development.

Qualifications include a PhD in a related field and a background in additive manufacturing; experience with mechanical testing and materials characterization is a plus. The position reports to Dr. Dev Chidambaram.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field completed within the five years preceding appointment.
• Experience in additive manufacturing is required; expertise in mechanical testing or materials characterization is a plus.
• Citizenship restrictions apply due to DoD contract; eligibility must be met.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high‑impact research in additive manufacturing of metals and composites.
• Publish findings in leading journals and present at conferences.
• Mentor students and contribute to proposal development for externally funded programs.
• Collaborate with faculty and students in a dynamic research environment.

Skills

Additive manufacturing

Mechanical testing

Materials characterization

Education

PhD in materials science or related field

Job description

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Scholar to join the college of Engineering. This position is available immediately and offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of additive manufacturing research.This is a Department of Defense contract and as such there are stringent citizenship rules. This position reports to Dr. Dev Chidambaram, Nevada Regents Researcher and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting‑edge projects focused on the additive manufacturing of metals and composites. In this role, you will conduct high‑impact research, publish in leading journals, present findings at conferences, and collaborate with a dynamic team of faculty and students. You will also have opportunities to mentor students and contribute to proposal development, supporting the growth of a strong and externally funded research program. Candidates with experience in additive manufacturing are required, and additional expertise in mechanical testing and materials characterization will be considered a strong advantage.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field. Completion of a doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline is required. The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University. The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.

Compensation Grade Postdoctoral Scholar

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Department Information

Join the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. We value faculty and staff as partners in our mission to deliver outstanding education, research and engagement. Our college seeks individuals committed to: Engaging in impactful outreach Providing state‑of‑the‑art education Fostering respect, inclusiveness and diversity Nevada Engineering is a fast‑growing college, with research expenditures that have doubled over the past eight years. Supported by an Engineering Research Office, the college secured $27.9 million in research awards in FY25 and offers professional development resources to ensure success. We offer bachelor’s, graduate degrees and certificates through three schools: Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering Computer Science, Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial and Material Science Engineering Our specialized facilities include the Center for Civil Engineering Earthquake Research, Cybersecurity Center, the Nanofabrication Lab in the Davidson Foundation Cleanroom and the Nevada Water Innovation Institute. Located near the Tahoe‑Reno Industrial Center and offering ready access to the bustling California economy, Nevada Engineering collaborates with leading tech firms and advance research in robotics, AI, battery technology, aerospace, water systems and sustainable energy. Learn more at unr.edu/engineering

ExemptYes Full-Time Equivalent100.0%

Full‑Time Equivalent 100.0%

Posting Close Date Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process. Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E‑Verify. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job‑related tasks. For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver’s license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service‑connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).

NSHE is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service‑connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land‑grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries. Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.” Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land‑grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics. The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290‑acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as “University Village,” to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty. Collaborating with world‑renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google’s TechWise initiate is an 18‑month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry‑level software engineers by graduation. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada – led by the University of Nevada, Reno – was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada’s Tech Hub will strengthen America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state. Through its commitment to high‑impact education, world‑improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150‑year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world. The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience. Today, the University delivers on its original land‑grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education. For more information, please visit the University’s website.

The University of Nevada, Reno The University of Nevada, Reno is the state of Nevada’s leading public research university. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land‑grant university, the University serves more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries. Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.” Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been invested in advanced labs, facilities and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nevada, where education, research and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land‑grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, the Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and Wolf Pack Athletics. The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a growing technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Founded where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the University’s beautiful, 290‑acre main campus is also a Nevada state arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure continues to expand, with the opening of the John Tulloch Business Building as well as the completion of a new state public health laboratory with groundbreaking for a life sciences building scheduled for 2027. The University has also invested in affordable housing for faculty and staff with its University Village, a series of fully renovated housing parcels located near campus. Collaborating with world‑renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple and Microsoft, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with a new devices and accessories. Through its commitment to high‑impact education, world‑improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150‑year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world. Just one example is how the University is leading the way in the nation’s effort to develop new, clean energy sources that will power the country’s future through its selection as one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs) through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Nevada’s Tech Hub strengthens America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state. The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience. Today, the University delivers on its original land‑grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education. For more information, please visit the University’s website.

NSHE is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service‑connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).

Center for Civil Rights & Equal Access Zeva Edmondson Director, Title IX Coordinator Center for Civil Rights and Equal Access 1664 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89557 [phone] [e-mail] The University of Nevada, Reno, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non‑discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Zeva Edmondson, Director, Title IX Coordinator, Center for Civil Rights and Equal Access, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Continuing Education Building, Room 206, m/s 158, Reno, Nevada 89557-0158, Telephone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail]; to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: [phone] FAX: [phone]; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [e-mail]; or to both. Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found here. If you need any accommodations to complete an application, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. Si necesita alguna acomodación para completar una solicitud, comuníquese con Recursos Humanos en [e-mail]. Information regarding security, personal safety, fire safety, and crime statistics can be found at UNR's website. NSHE Employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. As a result, employment at NSHE may impact your Social Security benefits. Additional information is available at SSA 1945. Job postings are specific to the Nevada System of Higher Education.