"Postdoctoral Researcher - Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics"

Postdoctoral Researcher - Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics

Job ID: 291019

Location: Marietta, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Department Information

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conducts research in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics
2. Devises theoretical frameworks to describe dissipation, thermalization, and non-equilibrium electron distributions, identifying observables to guide the observation of photon-dressed states in space-time dependent systems
3. Develops and refines theoretical tools to describe periodically driven phenomena in two dimensional materials with periodic deformations, and topological defects in magnetic heterostructures
4. Collaborates with faculty and students to publish research findings and present results at professional conferences

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in effective and tight binding descriptions of quantum materials, including lowdimensional, topological, and periodically driven systems
• Solid background in techniques for systems out of equilibrium, including periodically driven systems in condensed matter physics
• Strong experience in out-of-equilibrium physics and techniques in condensed matter physics.
• Experience with computational and theoretical simulation and modeling techniques in nonequilibrium condensed matter physics, such as Keldysh-Floquet formalism
• Expertise in scientific computing and numerical simulation methods
• Ability to design and carry out independent research projects, including data analysis and interpretation
• Strong communication skills for preparing publications and presenting research to diverse audiences
• Capacity to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Researchers support teams of KSU faculty and students (undergraduate and graduate students), which engage with external collaborators from other universities, community members, government agencies, and/or private sector entities to stimulate innovation, capacity-building, and sustainability of research and scholarly activity at KSU.

Description

The Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics group led by Professor Mahmoud Asmar at Kennesaw State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in theoretical condensed matter and quantum materials. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with Prof. Asmar's group at KSU and Prof. Nancy Sandler's group at Ohio University, contributing to a shared research effort on dissipation and thermalization in driven systems, photon-dressed states in space- and time-dependent settings, and emergent phenomena in periodically driven two-dimensional materials and magnetic heterostructures.

This position offers opportunities for collaborative theory development, advanced numerical modeling, and participation in a vibrant, multi-institutional research environment. Regular joint meetings, coordinated code development, and integrated data analysis workflows form part of the collaboration's structure.

Cross-Institutional Collaboration: Joint research with Prof. Nancy Sandler (Ohio University) as part of an ongoing DOE-supported collaboration on non-equilibrium quantum materials.

To apply, Include a CV, a 2-3 page research statement, and a list of three references (names and email addresses). Review of applications begins December 15, 2025, and continues until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Plans and executes experimental activities, data analyses, submission of reports or of manuscripts to peer-reviewed publications, and/or attendance and presentation of research findings at appropriate venues of dissemination
2. Develops and contributes to new ideas for research proposals and directions within the research group
3. Develops an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with faculty mentor
4. Generates revenue by securing grants and participates in departmental and institutional career development programs, such as grant writing workshops
5. Prepares project budget and ensures funded project operates within budget guidelines
6. Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with institutional policies, and federal, state and local regulations
7. Establishes working relationships and cooperative arrangements with internal and external partners
8. Engages in research and publication

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. D.V.M, Sc.D., M.D., PharmD., etc.) from an accredited institution of higher education or obtainment of doctorate degree within six (6) months of hire

Preferred Educational Qualifications
An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Demonstrated ability to carry out independent and collaborative research on a team of faculty and students with the ability to meet deliverables and milestones
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously to meet assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of and experience in general analytical methods development and good analytical practices
Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills
Outstanding proposal and paper writing skills
Demonstrated creative and proactive approach towards problem solving
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette