Postdoctoral Fellow – Materials Chemistry, Texas Materials Institute, Cockrell School of Engineering Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellow – Materials Chemistry, Texas Materials Institute, Cockrell School of Engineering

The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead research in high-throughput synthesis and discovery of advanced functional materials, with a preferred background in electrocatalysis or battery-related systems. This role supports TMI's mission to accelerate materials innovation through data-driven approaches and autonomous experimentation. The Postdoctoral Fellow will contribute to the rapid exploration of novel materials chemistries—such as compositionally complex energy materials—using high-throughput, combinatorial synthesis strategies. The position involves working at the intersection of robotic synthesis, AI-guided materials discovery, and rapid characterization to enable efficient screening and optimization of functional materials. The Postdoctoral Fellow will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and help establish TMI as a leader in autonomous materials research and intelligent laboratory systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high-throughput and combinatorial synthesis workflows, including high-throughput solution synthesis, microdroplet printing and processing
• Design and execute automated synthesis experiments using robotic platforms or parallel reactors
• Collaborate with computational scientists to integrate machine-learning models for closed-loop materials discovery
• Collaborate with companion postdocs on functional materials characterization (XRD, SEM/TEM, Raman, spectroscopy, electrochemical analysis, etc.)
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related field, conferred within three (3) years before the start date of the appointment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting independent research in a relevant area of materials science or engineering
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Commitment to mentoring and contributing to the academic development of graduate and undergraduate students

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with materials synthesis, robotic platforms, liquid-handling automation, or programmable synthesis systems
• Familiarity with machine-learning tools, data analysis
• Background in energy materials, catalysis, and batteries

Salary

$61,093

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor