Postdoctoral Research Fellow

College of Science

Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

About the Department:

The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 80 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory. For more information on the department, see http://physics.gmu.edu George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia's largest university with more than 39,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital. Statement on Building an All-Inclusive Culture George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow position will construct magneto-optical instrumentation and apply it to van der Waals heterostructures.

The Fellow will leverage their strong background in instrumentation to build a custom optical microscopy system interfaced with a magneto-optical cryostat.

The system will be used to study emergent quantum behaviors at the interface between atomically thin materials exhibiting strong correlations.

The Fellow will also gain experience in the fabrication of van der Waals heterostructures and have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate and graduate students, participate in outreach activities, and gain grant writing experience.

• Designs, constructs, and optimizes magneto-optical instrumentation and optical microscopy systems;
• Integrates instrumentation with cryogenic and magnet systems for low-temperature experiments;
• Performs spectroscopy and imaging measurements (e.g., Raman, photoluminescence) on quantum materials;
• Fabricates and characterizes van der Waals heterostructures; and
• Maintains laboratory equipment and ensure safe research practices.

• Analyzes experimental data using appropriate computational and statistical methods;
• Develops reproducible workflows for data acquisition and processing;
• Prepares manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences; and
• Contributes to reports, presentations, and collaborative publications.

• Mentors undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory techniques and research methods;
• Provides guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication; and
• Fosters an inclusive and collaborative research environment.

• Assists with preparing grant proposals, including literature reviews and preliminary data development;
• Contributes to identifying funding opportunities aligned with research priorities; and
• Supports documentation and reporting requirements for sponsored research.

• Participates in departmental and institutional outreach activities (e.g., STEM events, workshops); and
• Contributes to initiatives that promote inclusion and public engagement in science.

• PhD in condensed matter physics or a related field;
• Strong background in the design and construction of optical microscopy/spectroscopy systems;
• Robust background in optical instrumentation;
• Expertise in LabVIEW and Python programming languages;
• Knowledge of quantum materials, condensed matter physics, and strongly correlated systems;
• Knowledge of optics, photonics, and magneto-optical phenomena;
• Knowledge of cryogenic systems and low-temperature experimental techniques;
• Knowledge of scientific research methodologies and experimental design;
• Skill in constructing and aligning optical instrumentation and microscopy systems;
• Skill in data acquisition, control systems, and instrumentation software (e.g., LabVIEW, Python);
• Skill in scientific writing, including preparation of manuscripts and grant proposals;
• Skill in presenting complex technical information to diverse audiences;
• Skill in mentoring and training students in laboratory environments;
• Strong problem-solving skills and resilience in research environments;
• Ability to independently design and execute complex research experiments;
• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data with high attention to detail;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet research deadlines;
• Ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary and diverse teams;
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing;
• Demonstrated scientific curiosity and commitment to innovation;
• Commitment to safety, ethical research practices, and compliance standards; and
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture.

• Postdoctoral experience in condensed matter physics or a related field;
• Experience with the assembly of van der Waals heterostructures; and
• Expertise in Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Postdoctoral Research Fellow at https://jobs.gmu.edu/.

Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

For Full Consideration, Apply by: July 15, 2026