Postdoctoral Research Associate – Complex Artificial Electromagnetic Materials

UMass Lowell • Lowell, MA

105d • Onsite

About The Position

Applicants are sought for a full-time, benefitted postdoctoral researcher position in the field of complex artificial electromagnetic materials - design, modeling, fabrication and characterization - at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Submillimeter-Wave Technology Laboratory (STL). STL is interested in furthering its expertise in the modeling, fabrication, and characterization of full-scale and scale-model artificial complex electromagnetic materials within the microwave to THz regimes. Candidates will be expected to scale the electromagnetic properties of existing and novel artificial electromagnetic materials as per the rules of electrodynamic similitude. The successful applicant will also collaborate with STL senior staff, write detailed technical reports for STL’s DoD sponsor, as well as publish results in scholarly journals and/or relevant recognized conferences in the United States (US). The successful applicant may also be assigned other relevant duties in support of STL’s DoD contract regarding full-scale and scale-modeling of complex artificial electromagnetic materials by STL’s Director. The initial appointment will be May 16, 2026 through May 15, 2027, assuming additional funding is available by November 16, 2026, with a possibility of renewal for a second year based on productivity and performance and the availability of funding.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, physics, engineering physics, materials science or related field within the last 2 years or soon to be completed
• Demonstrated design, fabrication, characterization and application of complex artificial electromagnetic materials for any of the following: antennae/reflect-arrays/frequency-selective-surfaces, gaussian beam shaping, cloaking, polarization conversion, novel absorbers or beam splitting
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the electromagnetics of complex media through coursework and/or research
• At least one authored publication related to complex artificial electromagnetic materials design, fabrication, characterization, electromagnetic scattering and/or measurements/phenomenology.
• Ability to work independently, with limited direction, as well as within a team environment.
• Familiarity with computational electromagnetics solvers as applied to electromagnetic materials: HFSS and/or CST Studio Suite.
• Familiarity with relevant additive manufacturing techniques and/or nanofabrication techniques (e.g. photolithography, film deposition).
• Demonstrated background in signal processing techniques and related technologies as relevant to electromagnetic scattering measurements and characterization systems.
• Familiarity with scientific programming using Matlab and/or LabVIEW.
• Must be a U.S. citizen capable of obtaining a security clearance.
• Provides recommendations regarding research methods, materials, supplies and equipment.
• This role will involve communication inside the University (e.g. STL) and possibly with individuals in other departments.
• It will also involve communications outside of the University with STL’s DoD sponsor

Nice To Haves

• Candidates will be expected to scale the electromagnetic properties of existing and novel artificial electromagnetic materials as per the rules of electrodynamic similitude.
• The successful applicant will also collaborate with STL senior staff, write detailed technical reports for STL’s DoD sponsor, as well as publish results in scholarly journals and/or relevant recognized conferences in the United States (US).
• The successful applicant may also be assigned other relevant duties in support of STL’s DoD contract regarding full-scale and scale-modeling of complex artificial electromagnetic materials by STL’s Director.
• Emphasis in terms of relevant techniques and materials will be those that best support existing and anticipated deliverables on STL’s DoD contract and related US Army sponsor initiatives.
• Using available funding and material characterization measurement systems: design, model, fabricate and characterize full-scale and scale-model complex artificial electromagnetic materials in support of STL’s DoD contract.
• Due to the uncertainty regarding the time required to obtain a security clearance, a single conference publication would be deemed acceptable if obtaining a security clearance requires 6 months duration or longer. Otherwise, at least 2 scholarly and/or conference publications would be expected within the 12-month period.
• Update STL’s Director via meetings related to development efforts: Conduct a weekly group meeting between STL’s Director and other STL staff as assigned by Director to provide status updates and to discuss technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Expand the capabilities of UML STL in the field of complex artificial electromagnetic materials design, modeling, fabrication and characterization under the supervision of STL’s Director and any other STL research staff as assigned by STL’s Director.
• Research and provide a summary report of the state-of-the-art in full-scale and scale-model complex artificial electromagnetic materials design, modeling, fabrication and characterization within the first 3 months of employment as per the available open literature.
• Design, model, fabricate and characterize full-scale and scale-model complex artificial electromagnetic materials in support of STL’s DoD contract.
• Fully document the design, modeling, fabrication and characterization of full-scale and scale-model complex artificial electromagnetic materials.
• Measure materials and/or materials applied to targets of interest in the appropriate STL or sponsor compact radar ranges.
• Report on any novel complex artificial electromagnetic materials design, modeling, fabrication, characterization and/or applications developed during these efforts.
• Write detailed technical reports on their design, modeling, fabrication, and characterization and any related development efforts for STL’s DoD sponsor.
• Publish results in scholarly journals and/or conferences.
• Conduct a weekly group meeting between STL’s Director and other STL staff as assigned by Director to provide status updates and to discuss technical challenges.
• Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Ensure optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
• Maintain an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by STL’s Director.

Benefits

• Full-time, benefitted position
• Possibility of renewal for a second year based on productivity and performance and the availability of funding.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees