Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Materials Science and Engineering - UTK

Postdoctoral Research Associate Position – Advanced Ceramics for Extreme Environments

The University of Tennessee is pleased to announce an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the area of thin film and bulk processing of ceramics for extreme environments. This position is part of the Center for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (CAMM), the university’s NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC).

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

The successful candidate will focus on the experimental synthesis of compositionally complex ceramics using both conventional and advanced ceramic processing methods, including reactive thin film sputtering. Characterization techniques will include X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion measurements, and mechanical testing.

In addition to hands-on experimental work, the researcher will have opportunities to engage in AI/ML-aided materials design and collaborate with computational researchers as part of CAMM’s interdisciplinary research efforts. The position also offers access to national user facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), including neutron scattering instruments and advanced synthesis capabilities.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field (candidates nearing completion of their Ph.D. will also be considered);
• Experience with refractory oxide, carbide, or other ceramic synthesis, including processing, structural characterization, and property evaluation;
• A strong publication record and excellent written and oral communication skills;
• The ability to work effectively within a large, interdisciplinary research team;
• Leadership experience, including mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

The candidate will work under the supervision of Professors Katharine Page and Philip D. Rack at the University of Tennessee. This role provides a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in the ceramics synthesis thrust within CAMM.

Expected to hire immediately.

Salary is expected to start at $70,656 depending on experience.  The expected start date will be immediate.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers competitive benefits. More information is found:

https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/insurance/

 

Interested applicants should apply online with their cover letter and curriculum vitae, and send those materials to kpage10@utk.edu and prack@utk.edu.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

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The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.  

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