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Job description
Posting Details
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Posting Summary
Logo
Posting Number
RTF00222PO26
USC Market Title
Research Assistant Professor
Link to USC Market Title
Business Title
Research Assistant Professor
Campus
Columbia
Work County
Richland
College/Division
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
CAS Physics and Astronomy
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
37.5
Type of Faculty Position
Faculty Research Grant (FRGP)
Basis
12 months
Job Search Category
Other
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement
No
State Insurance Programs
Yes
Annual Leave
No
Sick Leave
No
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
Under limited supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), this individual will conduct research on the synthesis of single crystal and polycrystalline materials, thin-film deposition, and micro/nano fabrication; characterizing these materials using laboratory-based techniques to measure their electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties; and collaborating with experimental and theoretical researchers to develop structure-property relationships and novel functional materials.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Applicants must hold a PhD in condensed matter physics or closely related field and have postdoctoral experience in material synthesis, thin film fabrication, characterization, and theoretical modeling.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Expertise in material synthesis, thin film fabrication, characterization, and theoretical modeling.
Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations.
Job Duties
Job Duty
Synthesis of single crystal and polycrystalline materials, thin-film deposition and micro/nano fabrication: To successfully accomplish the proposed research objectives, it is essential to hire a qualified candidate with expertise in the synthesis of single-crystal and polycrystalline materials, thin-film deposition, and micro/nanofabrication. These activities require specialized technical knowledge, extensive hands-on experience, and the ability to operate sophisticated research equipment that is critical to the project. The research involves the controlled growth of high-quality single-crystal and polycrystalline materials with precise control over composition, crystallinity, and defect density. In addition, the project requires the deposition of thin films using advanced techniques while maintaining stringent control over film thickness, uniformity, and interface quality. The fabrication of micro- and nanoscale devices further demands expertise in cleanroom processes, including photolithography, electron-beam lithography, etching, deposition, and device integration. These tasks are highly specialized and require trained personnel to ensure reproducibility, reliability, and high-quality experimental outcomes. The individual hired will be responsible for designing and optimizing material synthesis protocols, performing thin-film growth and characterization, carrying out micro/nanofabrication processes, maintaining laboratory and cleanroom equipment, troubleshooting fabrication challenges, documenting experimental procedures, and training junior researchers and students as needed. The researcher will also collaborate with other team members to integrate synthesized materials into functional devices and accelerate the overall research progress. Hiring a dedicated expert will significantly improve research efficiency, reduce experimental errors, minimize equipment downtime, and ensure compliance with laboratory safety and cleanroom operating procedures. Their specialized expertise will enable the project to meet its technical milestones on schedule while producing high-quality, reproducible results suitable for publication and future technology development.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
45
Job Duty
Characterizing materials using laboratory-based techniques (including national user facilities) to measure their electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties; collaborating with experimental and theoretical researchers to develop structure-property relationships and novel functional materials: The success of the proposed research depends on comprehensive characterization of synthesized materials to establish the relationships between their structure, composition, and functional properties. To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to hire a qualified candidate with expertise in advanced materials characterization, data analysis, and collaborative research involving both experimental and theoretical approaches. The project requires systematic characterization of materials using a wide range of laboratory-based techniques, as well as specialized instrumentation available at national user facilities. These measurements include electrical, magnetic, optical, and thermal property characterization, together with complementary structural, chemical, and microstructural analyses. The hired researcher will be responsible for planning and conducting characterization experiments, preparing samples for analysis, operating and coordinating access to advanced characterization facilities, analyzing and interpreting complex datasets, and integrating experimental results with theoretical modeling. The individual will also collaborate closely with experimentalists and computational researchers to develop quantitative structure-property relationships, identify the mechanisms governing material performance, and guide the design and optimization of novel functional materials. In addition, the researcher will coordinate user-facility proposals, manage experimental campaigns at national laboratories, maintain detailed documentation of characterization results, and assist in preparing publications, presentations, and technical reports. Hiring a dedicated expert will ensure that characterization activities are performed efficiently and at the highest technical standard, maximizing the scientific value of both laboratory and user-facility measurements. Their expertise will accelerate the discovery and optimization of functional materials, strengthen collaborations across experimental and theoretical teams, improve the reproducibility and rigor of the research, and help the project achieve its scientific milestones within the proposed timeline.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
45
Job Duty
Mentoring other group members, including postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers: A dedicated research scientist is essential not only to advance the technical objectives of the proposed project but also to provide consistent mentorship and training for postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers. As the research program expands in scope and complexity, effective supervision and knowledge transfer are critical to maintaining high-quality research, ensuring reproducible results, and fostering the professional development of junior researchers. The hired researcher is expected to provide guidance on experimental design, laboratory techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving. They will train new group members in laboratory safety, standard operating procedures, equipment operation, and best practices for data management and documentation. In addition, they will assist trainees in troubleshooting experiments, interpreting results, preparing manuscripts and conference presentations, and developing independent research skills. The research scientist will also coordinate collaborative activities within the research group, facilitate communication among experimental and computational team members, and help ensure that projects progress efficiently toward established milestones. Their regular interaction with trainees will promote a collaborative research environment, improve productivity, and enable more effective use of laboratory and shared research facilities. Hiring an experienced researcher with strong mentoring capabilities will strengthen the group's research infrastructure by providing sustained technical leadership and continuity across multiple projects. This role will enhance the quality of training for students and postdoctoral researchers, accelerate their development as independent scientists, and increase the overall productivity and impact of the research program while allowing the principal investigator to focus on strategic research direction, external collaborations, and project management.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
10
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category
Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
No
Posting Detail Information
Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Job Open Date
09/28/2026
Job Close Date
11/12/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Please note that references will be contacted upon applying for the position.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty-five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by November 12, 2026
Quicklink for Posting
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Worksite address
columbia, SC, 29228, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.