Postdoctoral Fellow – Transmission Electron Microscopy, Texas Materials Institute, Cockrell School of Engineering Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellow – Transmission Electron Microscopy, Texas Materials Institute, Cockrell School of Engineering

The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead research in AI-driven and self-driving transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as part of the advanced materials characterization and autonomous discovery initiatives within the Texas Materials Institute (TMI) at The University of Texas at Austin. This position focuses on developing the next generation of intelligent electron microscopy systems that integrate machine learning, robotic control, and real-time data analysis to achieve autonomous imaging and interpretation of complex materials systems.

This position will operate as a core part of a larger AI-robotic materials discovery program at TMI that couples liquid-phase synthesis, high-throughput sample processing, and autonomous characterization. The TEM postdoctoral fellow will collaborate with companion postdocs specializing in liquid-phase synthesis and thin-film formation, integrating structural characterization directly with compositional and processing data streams. A central aspect of this work will be to interface TEM workflows with the microdroplet printing system for high-throughput sample deposition onto TEM grids or micro-electrode arrays, enabling statistically rich structure–property correlations across thousands of printed materials. The Fellow will also contribute to the development of robotic sample preparation and automated sample-loading systems, including a robot arm-based TEM grid handling and holder-loading setup, to achieve continuous, unsupervised operation of the microscope. Working within this integrated ecosystem, the Fellow will help connect real-time TEM data to cloud-based digital twins and the broader AI framework controlling synthesis and electrochemical testing, creating a closed experimental–computational feedback loop for autonomous materials discovery.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to lead and publish independent research, collaborate across disciplines of materials science, electron microscopy, chemistry, and data science, and contribute to the mentorship of graduate students and junior researchers. Additional responsibilities include developing new experimental protocols, contributing to multi-PI proposals, and helping define the architecture for fully autonomous electron microscopy systems. This position offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of AI-driven discovery science, operating at the interface between robotic automation, advanced electron microscopy, and intelligent materials design.

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

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