Post Doctoral Scholar, Physics

The Opportunity (Job description):

The Computational Materials for Energy Technologies (CoMET) group, led by Assistant Professor Duy Le in the Department of Physics at the University of Central Florida (UCF), seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Associate. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research in materials for energy applications, focusing on electrocatalysis and battery technologies.

Ideal candidates should possess a strong background and experience in computational modeling of solid-solid, liquid-solid, and gas-solid interfaces using first principles methods, classical force fields, and machine-learning-force fields.   

The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance.

  

For additional information about this position, please contact Duy Le at [email protected].

Responsibilities:

The Postdoctoral Associate’s Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performing computational modeling using DFT, GC-DFT, MD (AIMD, classical force fields, MLIP force fields)
• Developing machine learning models for liquid-solid, solid-solid, and gas-solid interfaces.  
• Analyzing and disseminating research results through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations
• Managing collaborations with other research teams (internal and external)
• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
• Contributing to grant proposal development and preparation

  

Minimum Qualifications:

Must have a Ph. D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, and/or battery technologies.
• Experience in molecular dynamics simulations (including AIMD).
• Experience with machine leaning interatomic potentials.
• Strong programming experience with PyTorch for machine learning and scientific computing applications.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, candidates should upload:

• CV/Resume
• One-page statement summarizing candidate’s expertise, experience, research interests, and suitability for the position (Times New Roman, 11pt, single space).
• Contact information of at least 2 professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: When applying, please have all your documents ready to upload at the same time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

 Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The Ph.D. must be conferred before the commencement of employment in the Postdoctoral Associate position at the University of Central Florida.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First.  OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off. 

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Expected Salary:

$58,000.00/year

Department

College of Sciences (COS) - Department of Physics

Work Schedule

Varies.

Type of Appointment

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Expected Salary

$58,000.00

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [email protected].

For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].