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Postdoctoral Materials Science Jobs in Washington

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Postdoctoral Materials Science information

What is a postdoctoral materials scientist?

Postdoctoral materials scientists are researchers who have completed their doctoral degree (PhD) in materials science or a related field and are engaged in advanced research, typically at a university, laboratory, or industrial setting. Their work involves designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings to advance knowledge in materials science. Postdocs often collaborate with other scientists and may mentor graduate or undergraduate students. This position helps scientists further develop their expertise and prepare for independent research careers in academia, industry, or government.

What are common challenges faced by postdoctoral researchers in materials science, and how can they be managed?

Postdoctoral researchers in materials science often face challenges such as balancing independent research with collaborative projects, managing time between lab work and publishing, and securing funding for specialized experiments. Navigating interdisciplinary teams can also require strong communication skills, as research frequently overlaps with fields like chemistry, engineering, or physics. Building strong mentorship networks and proactively seeking professional development opportunities can help address these challenges and support career advancement.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a postdoctoral materials scientist?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Materials Scientist, you need a Ph.D. in materials science or a related field, strong research skills, and expertise in materials characterization and synthesis. Familiarity with analytical instruments (such as SEM, TEM, XRD), scientific programming languages, and experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals are typically expected. Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and effective scientific communication are key soft skills for success in this role. These qualifications and skills are essential for advancing research, securing funding, and contributing to innovative scientific discoveries.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Materials Science vs Postdoctoral Chemistry?

AspectPostdoctoral Materials SciencePostdoctoral Chemistry
Required CredentialsPh.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, or related fieldPh.D. in Chemistry or related discipline
Work EnvironmentResearch labs focused on materials development, characterization, and applicationLaboratories emphasizing chemical synthesis, analysis, and reactions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, industry R&D in materials and nanotechnologyAcademic institutions, chemical companies, pharmaceutical R&D
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in materials research and developmentExploring chemistry-focused postdoctoral opportunities

Postdoctoral Materials Science and Postdoctoral Chemistry share similar credentials and research environments but focus on different scientific areas. Materials Science emphasizes developing and analyzing new materials, while Chemistry centers on chemical reactions and synthesis. Both roles are vital in research institutions and industry, but they cater to distinct research interests and applications.

What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington? For Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Materials Science job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004289)

Johns Hopkins University

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$53K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


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Job description

Description
PREP Research Associate
CHIPS Funded Project.
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title:
Integrated Photonics for Quantum Sensing
The work will entail:
We are looking for a postdoctoral scholar to design, fabricate, and/or test integrated photonics for one or more of the following application areas:
• Meta-optics for coupling to free-space optical modes, e.g., interfaces to atomic systems
• High-Q optical microcavities for laser frequency stabilization and precision sensing
• Electro-optics for light modulation and/or phase control
• Robust test structures for characterizing nanofabrication accuracy, identifying optical losses, etc.
This work will be highly collaborative with interactions spanning multiple labs across NIST. The postdoc will work with a team to carry out the design/fabricate/test workflow, where "design" entails simulating integrated photonic structures to estimate optical properties such as loss and dispersion, and creating GDS layouts of designs; "fabricate" entails using tools supported by the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, such as EBL and LPCVD, to realize designed structures; and "test" entails performing measurements of the fabricated structure's optical properties using lasers, spectrometers, etc.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
• Analyze heterogeneous data sources.
• Use analysis to iterate device designs and collaborate with others to do so.
• Present results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
• Publish results in the relevant scientific literature when appropriate.
Qualifications
• PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience, as evidenced by publications or recommendations, with integrated photonics.
• Familiarity with electromagnetics simulation software such as COMSOL or Lumerical.
• Familiarity with nanofabrication techniques such as EBL and LPCVD.
• Familiarity with optical measurement techniques for loss, dispersion, noise, etc.
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
Application Instructions
Please upload the following with your application:
• CV/Resume
*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.
Self portraits
Phone number
Home address/Country
Citizenship status
Languages spoken
Sex/Gender
Privacy Act Statement
Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

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Gilman believed that teaching and research go hand in hand—that success in one depends on success in the other—and that a modern university must do both well. He also believed that sharing our knowledge and discoveries would help make the world a better place. In 145 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision. This is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. Those same faculty members, along with their colleagues at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory, have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding every year since 1979. That’s a fitting distinction for America’s first research university, a place that has revolutionized higher education in the U.S. and continues to bring knowledge and discoveries to the world.

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Year founded

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