Post Doc Res Assoc - Physics & Astronomy at University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY

Job description

Join Our Campus Community! Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Wyoming. Our community thrives on the contributions of talented and driven individuals who share in our mission, vision, and values. If your expertise and experience align with the goals of our institution, we would be thrilled to hear from you. We encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our vibrant campus community today! Why Choose Us? At the University of Wyoming, we value our employees and invest in their success. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits include: Generous Retirement Contributions: The State contributes over 15% of your gross salary. With your mandatory employee contribution, the total contribution toward your retirement plan exceeds 19%. Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage: Enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions, that include 4 deductible options to suit your needs . Paid Time Off: Benefit from ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure. Tuition Waiver: Employees and eligible dependents can take advantage of tuition waivers, supporting continuous education and professional growth. Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs: Stay healthy with wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources. At the University of Wyoming , we are committed to creating a supportive and enriching workplace. To learn more about what we offer, please refer to UW’s Benefits Summary . JOB TITLE: Postdoctoral Research Associate — Axial Chiral Phonons for Opto-Spintronic Control JOB PURPOSE: The University of Wyoming seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead the experimental program of a joint UW–Los Alamos National Laboratory project on axial chiral phonons in two-dimensional semiconductors. The position is a single appointment split across both institutions: approximately 2.5 years resident at LANL and 1.5 year at UW, so that samples grown and optically screened in Wyoming are characterized at LANL with real-time feedback between the two groups. The successful candidate will be the connective tissue of the collaboration — growing the material, running the measurements at both sites, and carrying knowledge in both directions. Expected start: [Summer 2027]. Initial term of 2 years, renewable annually to a total of 4 years based on performance and funding. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Grow and optimize WS₂–WSe₂–WS₂ lateral multijunctions, and characterize sample quality before measurement • Design and run helicity-resolved magneto-Raman measurements under cryogenic and high-magnetic-field conditions • Carry out nano-optical imaging and correlative AFM / SEM-EDX characterization of chiral junctions at LANL • Analyze and model spectroscopic data; relate observed mode behavior to electron–phonon coupling and scattering dynamics • Maintain the feedback loop between sites: communicate characterization results back to the growth effort so subsequent sample generations improve • Co-mentor one PhD student and one undergraduate researcher at UW • Lead manuscript preparation, present at conferences, and contribute to reports, beamtime or user proposals, and follow-on funding applications • Contribute to safe, well-documented laboratory practice at both institutions MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, or a closely related field, completed by the date of appointment • Demonstrated hands-on experience with optical spectroscopy of solid-state materials — Raman, photoluminescence, or comparable • Experience aligning and operating free-space optical setups, including laser safety practice • Working knowledge of condensed matter physics: phonons, electron–phonon coupling, and the optical properties of semiconductors • Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis (Python, MATLAB, Igor,