Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

University of Southern California; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California invites applications for a postdoctoral program role focused on quantum transport modeling and experimental validation.

The successful candidate will perform NEGF/DFT calculations, conduct e-beam lithography, thin-film deposition, and integration of heterogeneous material stacks, while contributing to publications and patents within a DARPA program. Initial appointment is 18 months, renewable up to 36 months, with access to USC-ISI facilities.

Qualifications

• PhD awarded or imminent in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated competence in both a computational technique (NEGF, DFT, micromagnetics, atomistic spin dynamics, or equivalent) and an experimental technique (device fabrication, transport, FMR, magneto-optics, or thin-film characterization).
• Strong publication record.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead validation experiments at the major program decision gates, co-author theory and experimental publications, and contribute to the patent portfolio.

Skills

NEGF

DFT

micromagnetics

atomistic spin dynamics

Education

PhD in Physics/EE/Materials Science

Tools

VASP

Quantum ESPRESSO

Vampire

OOMMF

MuMax3

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Responsibilities

• Quantum transport modeling using NEGF; first-principles materials and interface calculations using DFT (VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, or equivalent).
• Atomistic spin dynamics or micromagnetic simulation (e.g., Vampire, OOMMF, MuMax3); extraction of compact device models from first-principles results.

Experiment

• End-to-end device fabrication: e-beam lithography, metallization, lift-off, thin-film deposition, and etch.
• Integration of heterogeneous material stacks supplied by collaborators into working device structures.
• Electrical and magnetic characterization, including cryogenic transport, FMR, and high-frequency lock-in measurements.

Program role

• Design and lead validation experiments at the major program decision gates, co-author theory and experimental publications, and contribute to the patent portfolio.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD (awarded or imminent) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated competence in both a computational technique (NEGF, DFT, micromagnetics, atomistic spin dynamics, or equivalent) and an experimental technique (device fabrication, transport, FMR, magneto-optics, or thin-film characterization).
• Strong publication record.

Preferred

• Prior experience with spintronic materials or beyond-CMOS device platforms.
• Familiarity with MATLAB or the Python scientific stack.
• Prior involvement in multi-PI collaborations or government-funded programs.

What the Program Offers

Competitive salary commensurate with experience (USC postdoc / USC-ISI graduate research assistant scales). Access to USC-ISI cleanroom facilities, the broader USC research ecosystem, and fabrication routing through the CA DREAMS Microelectronics Commons Hub. Direct involvement in a high-visibility DARPA program with clear paths to first-author publications and a position in a growing patent portfolio. The successful candidate will interact regularly with senior faculty at partner institutions. Detailed technical scope will be discussed during the interview. The initial appointment is for 18 months, renewable for up to 36 months subject to performance and program funding.

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