Postdoctoral Scholar - Reinhart Group - Materials Science and Engineering

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Postdoctoral benefits

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Reinhart Group, Materials Science and Engineering, to advance machine-learning models for autonomous thin-film materials synthesis. The role involves representation learning for scientific data and real-time predictive modeling within the LATTICE cloud laboratory.

You will train and validate models against multimodal datasets from instruments like AFM, RHEED, ellipsometry, and XRD, and deploy them on edge infrastructure for real-time

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field is required.
• Strong record of research in applied machine learning and scientific data analysis.
• Experience with Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop ML models enabling AI systems to interpret data from various instruments.
• Deploy models on edge-computing infrastructure for real-time feedback during deposition.
• Collaborate with domain scientists and AI researchers to integrate the LATTICE framework.

Skills

Applied machine learning

Computer vision

Scientific data analysis

Python

PyTorch

JAX

Education

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering

PhD in Computer Science

PhD in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Physics

Tools

Python

PyTorch

JAX

Job description

Postdoctoral Scholar - Reinhart Group - Materials Science and EngineeringSkip to main content#Postdoctoral Scholar - Reinhart Group - Materials Science and Engineering page is loaded## Postdoctoral Scholar - Reinhart Group - Materials Science and EngineeringApplylocations: Penn State University Parktime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: REQ\_0000081196# **APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:*** ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. **Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.**This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. **POSITION SPECIFICS**The **Department of Materials Science and Engineering** in the **College of Earth and Mineral Sciences** is searching for a postdoctoral scholar. The position will involve machine learning for autonomous thin-film materials synthesis, including representation learning for scientific data, multimodal data fusion, and real-time predictive modeling. This work will be performed as part of LATTICE (Layered and Thin Film Technologies with Intelligent Cloud Experimentation), a National Science Foundation Programmable Cloud Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University’s University Park campus.The postdoctoral scholar will develop specialized machine learning models that enable AI systems to interpret scientific data from instruments including atomic force microscopy, reflection high-energy electron diffraction, spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray diffraction, and similar characterization methods. These models serve as the perceptual layer for a multi-agent AI framework that will guide autonomous materials synthesis and interact with robotic systems. The models will be trained, calibrated, and validated against the specific data modalities produced by LATTICE instrumentation. The scholar will deploy these models on edge-computing infrastructure for real-time feedback during deposition and integrate them with the Lifetime Sample Tracking data platform. The position requires close collaboration with LATTICE domain scientists in thin-film growth and characterization, AI researchers developing the agentic workflow framework, and future users of the LATTICE framework.**Requirements**Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, plus a strong record of research experience in applied machine learning, computer vision, and/or scientific data analysis.**Preferred**Experience with one or more of the following is strongly preferred: deep learning for image analysis, multimodal or multi-task learning, or deployment of ML models in real-time or edge-computing environments. Domain knowledge of materials science, chemistry, or physics will be an advantage. Extensive programming experience in Python is required, and familiarity with PyTorch or JAX is preferred. **BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES**Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. **BENEFITS**Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) **CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS**Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.**EEO IS THE LAW**Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.