Assistant Research Professor - Poudel Group - Materials Science and Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a full-time Assistant Research Professor position in the areas of thermoelectric materials, energy conversion materials, and advanced functional materials. The successful candidate will lead research efforts in the design, synthesis, processing, characterization, and performance optimization of advanced materials for thermal energy conversion, waste heat recovery, solid-state cooling, and sustainable energy technologies. This position emphasizes the discovery and development of next-generation energy materials with high electrical and thermal transport performance through materials design, defect engineering, microstructure optimization, and advanced manufacturing approaches. The research program will involve the synthesis and processing of thermoelectric and multifunctional materials, development of bulk and thin-film energy conversion materials, fabrication of prototype devices and modules, and detailed characterization of electrical, thermal, structural, and microstructural properties. The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing interdisciplinary research programs involving advanced ceramics, intermetallic compounds, semiconductors, and emerging energy materials for terrestrial, aerospace, and defense applications.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
Significant postdoctoral research experience in thermoelectric materials, energy conversion materials, or related functional materials
Strong publication record
Evidence of research leadership
Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment
Strong expertise and demonstrated research experience in thermoelectric materials, electronic transport phenomena, thermal transport, energy harvesting technologies, and advanced functional materials
Solid background in materials synthesis and processing techniques, including powder processing, spark plasma sintering (SPS), hot pressing, crystal growth, or related processing methods

Nice To Haves

Experience with transport property measurements, microstructural characterization, diffraction and microscopy techniques, and materials optimization through compositional and defect engineering
Experience with computational materials design, machine learning for materials discovery, or multifunctional energy materials

Responsibilities

Conducting cutting-edge research in thermoelectric and energy conversion materials
Leading materials synthesis, processing, characterization, and prototype device development
Collaborating with faculty across Penn State and external research partners
Contributing to multidisciplinary research programs sponsored by federal agencies and industry
Supervising and mentoring postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and visiting scholars
Contributing to proposal development and research program expansion
Publishing research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
Presenting research results at national and international conferences