Instructor - Physics jobs in Middletown, DE

Join a vibrant equity-minded campus community whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. The Department of Physics and Mathematics invites applications for a Post Doctoral Research position. The position begins in Fall 2024.

West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

The mission of the College of the Sciences and Mathematics, home of the Department of Physics and Engineering, is to prepare students to be informed citizens and successful professionals, through our academic programs and co-curricular experiences in the computational, mathematical, natural, and social sciences, as well as engineering.

This is a research position with no teaching responsibilities. The ideal candidate will primarily operate and improve the time-resolved spectroscopy setup - including the amplified femtosecond laser system and the time correlated single photon counting system that utilizes a newly acquired super conducting nanowire single photon detector. The person will also assist with the nanofabrication and characterization of photonic structures. The incumbent will conduct experiments on novel quantum emitting systems materials. 

The initial appointment is for an academic year with the possibility of contract renewal in the following semester(s). 

Responsibilities include:

• Develop a new optical set-up to characterize optically excited single-photon sources in Erbium-doped GaAs using a new superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system
• Maintain and operate a fs-pulsed laser and OPA system
• Design and fabricate new photonic crystal cavities to enhance the emission from Er ions in GaAs. Conduct experiments to characterize the influence of the cavity on the optical properties
• Participate in outreach events such as exposing high school students in Grades 9-12 to the basics of quantum information science
• Train and/or mentor assigned undergraduate and/or graduate students
• Act as liaison between the Mitchell Lab West Chester University and the Doty Lab at the University of Delaware; Travel may be required
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Ph. D in Physics or Materials Science with a background in laser spectroscopy of inorganic solids, particularly with ultrafast time-resolved laser spectroscopy techniques
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents

• Experience with ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy; and/or
• Experience with optical characterization of single photon such as quantum dots or defect-localized emitters; and/or
• Experience with photonic cavity design and fabrication and/or experience with crystal growth such as MBE or MOCVD will be viewed favorably; and/or
• Experience with measurements of coherence such as optical pulse sequences; and/or
• Experience with measurement protocols such as Hanbury-Brown-Twiss or g2

Apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa.

Review of applications will begin in April 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

Due to the temporary nature of this appointment, employment visa sponsorship is not available.

Applicants must successfully complete the application and interview process to be considered as a finalist. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Required Documents for Consideration

To be considered as an applicant for this position, please submit the following:

• CV (Include a list of publications)
• List of three references (Include name, email address, and phone number for each reference)

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment background checks. 

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU’s educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.