Research Scientist II

Special Instructions to Applicants:Please attach the following in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

A one (1) page cover letter addressing your statement of interest and justification of qualifications/ experience for this role.

A full CV.

Two examples of your research work that you feel best illustrate the depth and impact of your career to this point.

A list of three (3) potential references that can be contacted and their contact information.

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment.
We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Materials Science and Nano Engineering is seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to join our world-class experimental laboratory housed in the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science at Rice University. The lab occupies over 6,000 sq. ft. of dedicated space, with fully equipped synthesis, characterization, and fabrication facilities, maintained and operated by our research team.

In this role, you will pursue cutting-edge research aimed at understanding and controlling complex oxide and nitride thin films—with a focus on dielectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, ferroelectric, magnetic, and multiferroic materials. Projects span the spectrum from fundamental materials science and physics to applied physics, device fabrication, and testing. You will have the opportunity to engage across these levels, contributing to both foundational knowledge and real-world applications.

Our research is backed by a broad portfolio of federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners. Under the leadership of an expert Principal Investigator (PI), Lane Martin, the group typically includes 15–17 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. In addition, Rice University maintains a vibrant, expanding advanced materials community and provides access to extensive shared facilities through the Shared Equipment Authority.
We aim for the lab to become a world-leading center in functional materials research—providing the opportunity for the Research Scientist to lead independent projects, pursue their own funding, and build a national or international profile in the field.
Key responsibilities will include conducting complex independent experimental research; managing multiple research projects and associated budgets; and ensuring a safe, well-organized, and efficient lab environment.…