Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Postdoctoral Researcher in Metamaterial Coating Design

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher to join the lab led by Professor Fatima Toor (https://ftoor.lab.uiowa.edu/). This position focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of metamaterial coatings for advanced optical and electromagnetic applications. The successful candidate will play a key role in a project aimed at developing novel materials with engineered properties that go beyond those found in nature.

Responsibilities

• Metamaterial Design and Simulation: Use electromagnetic modeling and simulation software, COMSOL, to design metamaterial structures for specific optical and electromagnetic responses. This includes designing metasurfaces, plasmonic structures, and other resonant nanostructures.
• Nanofabrication: Fabricate designed structures using advanced nanofabrication techniques. This includes but is not limited to photolithography, metal and dielectric deposition and patterning, and lift-off.
• Optical and Electromagnetic Characterization: Conduct a thorough optical characterization of the fabricated samples. Utilize techniques, such as terahertz time domain spectroscopy, temperature-dependent, and angle-resolved measurements to evaluate material performance and validate simulation results.
• Research and Collaboration: Lead and contribute to research projects, prepare manuscripts for high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at national and international conferences. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
• Mentorship: Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in lab techniques and research methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• A recent Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience with electromagnetic modeling and simulation software for metamaterials, specifically COMSOL.
• Demonstrated expertise in nanofabrication techniques, particularly lithography and thin-film deposition.
• Strong background in optical and electromagnetic characterization methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A proven track record of publishing in high-quality scientific journals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cryogenic systems and low-temperature measurements.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for inverse design of metamaterials.
• Previous experience with cleanroom protocols and safety.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following documents to [Email Address/Application Portal Link]:

1. A cover letter detailing their research experience and qualifications.
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of publications.
3. A brief statement of research interests (one page).
4. Contact information for three professional references.