Postdoctoral Scholar, Physics

Physics World; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno invites applications for a postdoctoral Scholar in complex plasma physics, starting October 2026. The successful candidate will join Dr.

Surabhi Jaiswal's group to study dust-plasma interactions under high magnetic fields and conduct simulations at the multiuser Pronghorn HPC cluster. Responsibilities include experiments, data analysis with Python and LAMMPS, and publishing results in peer‑reviewed journals, with opportunities to

Qualifications

• PhD in plasma physics or closely related field.
• Experience running molecular dynamic simulations and data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and MATLAB programming.
• Demonstrated record of publication in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Doctoral degree completed within five years before appointment.
• Cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory experiments at the Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory.
• Develop, run, and analyze data using Python and LAMMPS.
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present findings at scientific conferences.

Skills

Molecular dynamics

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in plasma physics

Tools

LAMMPS

Job description

The Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral Scholar (one year, renewable for a second year subject to satisfactory performance and institutional approval) in complex plasma physics, starting in October 2026. The successful candidate will join Dr. Surabhi Jaiswal's research group focusing on dust-plasma interaction under a high magnetic field environment. The candidate will have the opportunity to conduct experiments at a multiuser facility, perform data analysis, and conduct molecular dynamic simulation of magnetized dusty plasma.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory experiments at the Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory, a premier plasma science multiuser research facility
• Develop, run, and analyze data using Python and molecular dynamics simulations using open-source code LAMMPS
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals
• Present findings at scientific conferences

Required Qualifications:

PhD in plasma physics or a closely related field

• Experience running molecular dynamic simulations and data analysis
• Proficiency in Python and MATLAB programming
• Demonstrated record of publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience related to dusty plasma experiments and simulations
• Knowledge of image analysis techniques.

Compensation Grade:

The budgeted salary for this position is $63,480.

Department Information:

The Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno houses around 20 tenure-track and research faculty, 5 teaching faculty, and around 40 PhD students. Our undergraduate program offers a physics major and an astronomy minor. Astrophysics research areas include black hole accretion and relativistic jets, multi-wavelength astronomy, and laboratory astrophysics experiments in photoionized plasmas and warm dense matter. We are a partner institution of the 0.7 meter Great Basin Observatory located in Great Basin National Park in Eastern Nevada (an International Dark Sky Park). The successful applicant will have access to UNR's high performance computing cluster Pronghorn. The department also has close ties with the Nevada Center for Astrophysics, based in Las Vegas, which comprises 17 tenure-track research facultywith expertise from stars and exoplanets to multi-messenger astronomy.

The job posting will close at 11:59pm PDT on September 17, 2026.

EEO/AA. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.