Fellow (Post Doc)

About This Role

The J.R. Macdonald Laboratory at the Department of Physics, Kansas State University, is seeking two POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES in experimental ultrafast AMO physics. The Laboratory operates several state-of-the-art charged-particle imaging systems and light sources, including: a 100-kHz, 2-mJ laser system, several other femtosecond lasers and a couple of high-harmonic-generation sources that are used for studying ultrafast light-induced dynamics in atoms and molecules. Furthermore, we regularly conduct experiments at external X-ray free-electron laser and synchrotron radiation facilities in Stanford, CA, and Hamburg, Germany.

Some of the responsibilities and research projects include:

• Multi-color pump-probe experiments in ultrafast AMO physics and photochemistry employing various electron and ion imaging techniques.
• Imaging molecular dynamics of ion-beam targets using ultrafast, intense laser pulses.
• Femtosecond- / attosecond experiments with XUV and X-ray radiation, both in-house and at external free-electron laser facilities.

About Us

The Physics Department at K-State is composed of a dynamic group of tenure-track, research, and instructional faculty, as well as outstanding postdoctoral research fellows, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and professional staff. All members of this team contribute in essential ways the department’s land-grant, public research university commitment to teaching and learning, research, and service to the people of Kansas, the nation, and the world.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in physics, physical chemistry or a related field by the time the position begins.
  
  The degree requirement is necessary to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following
  areas:
  o strong-field physics and ultrafast laser-matter interactions;
  o photoion and photoelectron imaging and spectroscopy;
  o femtosecond laser optics; high-harmonics generation;
  o attosecond science;
  o femtochenistry;

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• A list of three academic references

Application Window

Applications close on: February 28, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$52,000 - $58,000/ annually