Fellow (Post Doc)

Fellow (Post Doc)

The J.R. Macdonald Laboratory at the Department of Physics, Kansas State University, is seeking two POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES in experimental ultrafast AMO physics. Study light-matter interactions in strong-field and weak-field regime; multi-color pump-probe experiments in ultrafast AMO physics and photochemistry employing various electron and ion imaging techniques.

• 521986
• Manhattan, Kansas, United States
• Macdonald James R Laboratory
• Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Term)
• Closing at: Sep 6 2026 - 23:55 CDT
• On-site

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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 femtosecond and attosecond XUV and soft X-ray pulses. 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.

The appointment will be a term appointment. The successful candidate(s) should also demonstrate a strong commitment to mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students and to serving a varied population.

About Us

The Department of Physics at Kansas State University is built around highly productive faculty members with teaching and research expertise. Research is conducted in our department and other world-class facilities such as Fermi National Lab, CERN, DESY (German Electron Synchrotron), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab providing students a wide variety of experiences.

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. in physics, physical chemistry or a related field.

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:

• Strong-field physics and ultrafast laser-matter interactions
• Photoion and photoelectron imaging and spectroscopy
• Femtosecond laser optics; high-harmonics generation
• Attosecond science
• Femtochemistry
• Transient absorption measurements
• Experiments with X-ray free-electron lasers or synchrotron radiation

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter that includes research interests
• Curriculum vita
• Contact information, including email addresses, of at least three references

Application Window

Applications close on: September 6, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$50,000-$58,000