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New Postdoc Position Starting on July 1, 2026

The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an interdisciplinary research program focused on AI-enabled surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for precision molecular measurement and biophysical discovery. This position is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and is intended to recruit new postdoctoral talent to UGA.

The postdoctoral scholar will conduct research at the interface of spectroscopy, nanofabrication, machine learning, microfluidics, and biological measurement science, contributing to the development of reproducible, scalable, and field-deployable SERS platforms. Applications include nucleic acid analysis, single-cell spectroscopy, plant metabolomics, environmental monitoring, and materials characterization. The position emphasizes quantitative rigor, reproducibility, and integration of experimental and computational approaches.

The postdoctoral researcher will work primarily under the mentorship of Prof. Yiping Zhao (Department of Physics), with opportunities for co-mentorship and close collaboration across physics, engineering, statistics, computer science, and biological sciences.

 

Duties and Responsibilities (100%)

1.      Research & Experimental Development (45%)Conduct Raman/SERS experiments; develop and validate measurement strategies; ensure reproducibility.

2.      Data Analysis & Machine Learning (25%)Apply ML/statistical models to spectral data; perform computational analysis and validation.

3.      Scholarly Dissemination & Reporting (15%)Publish results; present at conferences; contribute to required funding reports.

4.      Mentoring & Collaboration (10%)Mentor students; participate in interdisciplinary research and team activities.

5.      Professional Development & Service (5%)Engage in training, outreach, and career-development activities.

 

Required Education and Experience

Required:

  • Ph.D. (or equivalent terminal degree) in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, completed by the start date.

  • Demonstrated hands-on experimental experience in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), including SERS substrate preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis.

  • Evidence of research productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, preprints, or significant research contributions.

Preferred (Plus):

  • Experience with microfluidics, chromatography, electrophoresis, or related separation and sample-preparation techniques.

  • Experience applying machine learning, statistical modeling, or data-driven methods to spectroscopic or experimental datasets.

  • Background in nanofabrication, plasmonic materials, or separation science.

  • Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific programming languages.

  • Interest in interdisciplinary research spanning physical, computational, and biological sciences.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·         Ability to conduct independent, self-directed research while working effectively and collegially within a collaborative team.

·         Strong quantitative reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with careful attention to detail.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly document methods and present results.

·         Ability to responsibly mentor and supervise students, contributing to a respectful, inclusive, and positive research environment.

·         Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and accountability, including the ability to manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and follow established research protocols.

·         Commitment to reproducibility, data integrity, ethical research conduct, and open science practices.

 

Eligibility and Work Authorization

  • This position is restricted to individuals new to UGA as of July 1, 2026.

  • Applicants must hold valid U.S. work authorization for the full duration of the appointment.

  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

  1. Curriculum vitae

  2. Cover letter describing research interests and fit for the position

  3. Three recommendation letters

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.


Deatiled application procedure can be found at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/468341.



 
 
 
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