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Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (AMO)


View weird quantum effects in the Bose-Einstein Condenstate laboratory. Investigate the theory of cold quantum gases, many-body physics, chaos, and complexity. Here, the “normal” rules do not apply.

Research on Novel States of Matter focuses on ultracold quantum gases and systems that exhibit chaos and complexity. Exceptionally strong theoretical and experimental programs in this area give students research experience at the frontiers of physics.

magnetic trapDr. Peter Engels conducts experiments with quantum degenerate gases, including Bose-Einstein Condensates and degenerate Fermi gases. In these experiments, laser cooling and evaporative cooling are employed to cool atoms to temperatures which are nearly at zero Kelvin, revealing genuine quantum mechanical behavior of matter waves. The picture shows the magnetic atom trap used in confining the atoms.

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Open Positions


Open Positions in Physics & Astronomy at WSU (Pullman)

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fundamental Quantum Physics lab) (Apply) 

Open WSU Positions Outside of Department of Physics and Astronomy


 

Postdoctoral Research Associate


Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Fundamental Quantum Physics lab at Washington State University (WSU) has an open position for a postdoctoral researcher.  Prof. Engels’ group conducts a multifaceted research program in the area of ultracold quantum gases, including dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) and degenerate Fermi gases (DFGs).  Current research directions include, among others, spin-orbit coupling and artificial gauge field in BECs, quantum hydrodynamics including multicomponent solitons and quantum turbulence, and ultracold atoms in microgravity.  For more information on our group, please visit https://labs.wsu.edu/engels.  Our group enjoys many fruitful collaborations with local, nation and international theory groups.

Required Qualifications:
PhD in Physics or related field

Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should have a PhD in Physics, be highly motivated, have extensive experience with ultracold quantum gas experiments, have a track record of scientific publications relevant to quantum gases, and be prepared to assume a leading role in one of our experiments.  They are expected to assume day-to-day responsibilities in the lab, actively participate in the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students performing research in the lab and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts and presentations at conference.  Our group maintains a highly collegial work environment in which all team members work together in a positive manner.  The Department of Physics and Astronomy at WSU comprises an international group of graduate researchers and values diversity at all levels.

Additional Information:

Monthly Salary:
Commensurate with experience, education, and University policy
FTE: 100%
Tenure Track: No
Permanent/Temporary: Temporary
Position Term in months: 12 mo
Overtime Eligibility: Overtime eligible
City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link: physics.wsu.edu

Background Check:
This position has been determined to require a background check.

Screening Begin Date:
Screening will begin on March 1, 2021, and will remain ongoing until a successful candidate has been identified.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application: 1) resume, 2) summary of work experience and research interests, and 3) publication record. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application.

Required Documents:
Please upload only the below documents to your application.

  • A full Curriculum Vitae

  • A summary of work experience and research interests (upload as “Cover Letter”)

  • Publication record

Time Type:  Full time

Position Term: 12 Month

APPLY

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

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The Physics of Materials
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Shock and High Pressure Physics


Dr. Yogendra Gupta is the Director of the Institute for Shock Physics, a multidisciplinary research organization with an emphasis on shock wave and high pressure research on materials. State-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities are used to investigate phenomena over a significant range of length and time scales.

shp-spect_lg

NASA Spacegarden

Dr. Phil Marston performs research in physical acousitcs and optics. One topic is the radiation pressure of high-amplitude sound and its applications to bubble and droplet dynamics and to the dynamics of of fluids in low gravity. The image at right was taken 9 April, 2003, by cosmonaut Nikolas Budarin aboard the ISS in near-zero gravity conditions. It shows an air bubble inside a water droplet on a plant in the “space garden.”

Dr. Matt McCluskey investigates semiconductors under large pressures. His group uses infrared spectroscopy combined with diamond-anvil cells to probe defects in semiconductors, and studies the optical changes of semiconductors under shock compression.

Confocal Ice

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