Postdoctoral Research Associate – Complex Artificial Electromagnetic Materials

General Summary of 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 STLs 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 STLs DoD contract regarding full-scale and scale-modeling of complex artificial electromagnetic materials by STLs 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.

Essential Job Duties:

Expand the capabilities of UML STL in the field of complex artificial electromagnetic materials design modeling fabrication and characterization under the supervision of STLs Director and any other STL research staff as assigned by STLs Director. This specifically involves:

• 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. Emphasis in terms of relevant techniques and materials will be those that best support existing and anticipated deliverables on STLs 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 STLs 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.

Reports for sponsor and writing for publication:

• The successful candidate will be expected to write detailed technical reports on their design modeling fabrication and characterization and any related development efforts for STLs DoD sponsor.
• The successful candidate will be expected to publish results in scholarly journals and/or conferences.
• 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

Update STLs Director via meetings related to development efforts:

• Conduct a weekly group meeting between STLs Director and other STL staff as assigned by Director to provide status updates and to discuss technical challenges.

Promote the Universitys commitment to customer service by:

• Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
• Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds nationalities and roles.

Other Job Duties:

• Performs other related duties as assigned by STLs Director.
• This role may involve occasional travel 2-4 weeks per year in support of STLs DoD contract and/or to attend and present results at relevant conferences in the United States.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

Education:

• 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

Experience:

• 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

Skills:

• 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 STLs DoD sponsor

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only current UML Employees within the Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; however the posting may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

This position is contingent upon 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.

This position is full-time benefited and in the Grace union in gradePD. Salary based on experience and grant within PD range minimum $th quartile of $56500 and midpoint of $63000. Target salary anticipated not to exceed $67500.

Please include a resume cover letter and writing sample with your and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.