Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Quantum Materials

Posting Details

Position Details

Title

Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Quantum Materials

Appointment Status

Non-Tenure Track

Department

IU Bloomington Intelligent Systems Engineering

Location

Bloomington

Position Summary

The Gao Research Group in the Department of Engineering at Indiana
University Bloomington invites applications for a postdoctoral position in computational and theoretical condensed matter physics.

Our research primarily uses first-principles methods to study how quantum materials, including low-dimensional, topological, and ferroelectric systems, interact with light. We also employ large-scale atomistic simulations and analytical approaches to investigate material properties and dynamics. Current research directions include nonlinear optical responses and quantum geometry, light-driven lattice dynamics and topological structures in ferroic materials, and AI-accelerated atomistic simulations.

The postdoctoral fellow will have opportunities to deepen their expertise in computational and theoretical research, develop independent research directions, and strengthen their professional skills for future careers in academia.

We aim to provide a supportive and collaborative research environment that encourages scientific independence, professional development, and the exploration of new research directions.

Specific Job Duties:

• Developing and conducting research projects
• Writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed

journals

• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences
• Collaborating and mentoring graduate and undergraduate

students

• Assisting in the preparation of research proposals and grant

applications

• Contributing to collaborative research activities

Basic Qualifications

Required Education:

Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.

Required Experience:

• Hands-on experience with density functional theory ( DFT )

calculations for solid-state materials using computational packages such as Quantum Espresso, VASP, or equivalent software

• Experience in scientific programming and data analysis using

Python or comparable programming languages

• Experience performing computational research using Linux-based

high-performance computing ( HPC ) systems

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent scientific

research

• Strong scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving

skills

Department Contact for Questions

Questions may be sent to: Dr. Lingyuan Gao
(lg12@iu.edu)

Additional Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with advanced electronic-structure and excited-state

methods, such as GW- BSE, TDDFT, electron-phonon coupling, or nonlinear optical response calculations

• Experience with molecular dynamics simulations ( LAMMPS ),

machine-learning interatomic potentials, or related atomistic modeling techniques

• Experience with theoretical methods for condensed matter

physics, such as tight binding models, low-energy effective
Hamiltonians, Hartree–Fock methods, Green’s function methods, and response theory.

• Research background in light–matter interactions, quantum

materials, ferroelectrics, or related fields.

• Experience in collaborating with researchers from different

disciplines.

Salary and Rank

Special Instructions

Applications received by March 1, 2027 will receive full consideration. However, we will continue accepting applications until the position is filled.

Interested candidates should review the application requirements and apply online at:

https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/35084

We will continue accepting applications until the position is filled.

Application Materials:

1) CV

2) Cover Letter

3) Contact information for at least 3 references

For Best Consideration Date

03/01/2027

Expected Start Date

08/01/2027

Posting Number

IU-101782-2026