Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
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.
