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 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.

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 STL’s Director and any other STL research staff as assigned by STL’s 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 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.
• 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 STL’s 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 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. 

Promote the University’s 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 STL’s Director.
• This role may involve occasional travel 2-4 weeks per year in support of STL’s 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:

• Demonstra