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:

• 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 STL’s 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 funding. 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.

This position is full-time, benefited and in the Grace union in grade PD. Salary based on experience and grant within PD range, minimum $50,000 25th quartile of $56,500 and midpoint of $63,000. Target salary anticipated not to exceed $67,500.

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

Organization

Working at University of Massachusetts Lowell

Located in the culturally and historically rich Merrimack Valley in northeast Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts Lowell is a vibrant research university that offers its 13,000 students more than 120 bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degree programs. Exciting opportunities in experiential and service learning, scholarship, community engagement, and international partnerships can be found across the Colleges of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Engineering; Management; Sciences; School of Health and Environment; and Graduate School of Education.

This is a time of unprecedented growth and opportunity at UMass Lowell. Student enrollment and retention have improved annually. Research funding and alumni giving have increased significantly and the campus has embarked on the construction of two new academic buildings: the Emerging Technologies & Innovation Center and the Health & Social Sciences Building.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to increasing diversity in its faculty, staff, and student populations, as well as curriculum and support programs, while promoting an inclusive environment. We seek candidates who can contribute to that goal and encourage you to apply and to identify your strengths in this area.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Massachusetts Lowell is to enhance the intellectual, personal and cultural development of its students through excellent, affordable educational programs. The University seeks to meet the needs of the Commonwealth today and into the future and supports the development of sustainable technologies and communities through its teaching, research, scholarship and engagement.