Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Position Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Appointment Type:

Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames Laboratory!

Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success.

The Division of Materials Science and Engineering with Iowa State University at the Ames National Laboratory is searching for a qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate.

The successful candidate will perform research activities and provide advanced scientific and technical support for existing projects with a primarily focus on determination of growth parameters for the creation and discovery of novel materials.  In addition, the characterization of  novel materials (primarily mixed valence and/or crystal electric field split, rare-earth-based, intermetallics) as a function of temperature, applied magnetic field, and, in some cases under varying amounts of applied pressure will be part of mission.  The person in this position would use the groups extensive synthetic capabilities to grow single crystalline examples of compounds and use quantitative solution growth techniques to infer the positions of liquidus surfaces in multinary, temperature-composition phase diagrams.  For new materials, the salient transition temperature, fields and other energy scales will be characterized by thermodynamic and transport measurements.  Tight collaborations with theory and scattering efforts are expected; experience in use of beam-time at synchrotrons or reactors is preferred .  Familiarity with solution growth of single crystals, single crystal and powder x-ray diffraction, as well as measurements of magnetization, specific heat and electrical resistance as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field are expected.  Experience with the analysis of crystal electric field splitting and potential Kondo energy scales is desirable.

The successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and will be expected to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. The initial appointment will be made for one year, with renewal appointments based on annual performance assessments and availability of funds.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics or related field must be completed prior to start date. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated research experience in solution growth of single crystals.

Experience in using high temperature synthesis equipment.

Experience in materials characterization, including single crystal and powder x-ray diffraction, electrical and/or thermal transport, magnetization, specific heat, thermal expansion.

Experience in using cryogenic characterization equipment.

Experience in data analysis, automation of measurements control and data acquisition using common software packages.

Demonstrated experience in writing of scientific papers and communicating research results via oral presentation in English.

Department Unit/Website:

www.ameslab.gov 

Proposed Start Date:

June 1, 2026

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

May 31, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

3) List of Professional References

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email