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

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

Job Posting

Title:

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

Hiring Department: Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Earliest

Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Position

Purpose:

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.

• 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.)
• Perform other related duties as assigned

• 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.

• 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.

$61,093

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

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

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to…