Overview
Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.
About Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.
Georgia Tech's Mission and Values
Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:
1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.
Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.
About the School of Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology
The School of Physics at Georgia Tech currently has 55 faculty (eight are non-tenure track), and its graduate program is ranked 21st in the nation by US News and World Report. The School has a broad research program with strengths in astrophysics, condensed matter, atomic, molecular and optical physics, physics of living systems, nonlinear science and soft matter physics. The School is also a key player in interdisciplinary initiatives established within Georgia Tech, such as quantum systems, neuroscience, microbial dynamics, planetary sciences, and data science/machine learning. Its diverse student body comprises more than 130 graduate students and 300 undergraduate Physics majors.
Atlanta, GA
The College of Sciences (https://physics.gatech.edu/) at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in the School of Physics (https://physics.gatech.edu/). Professor Simon Sponberg's research group is active in exploring the physical and physiological mechanisms underlying agile animal movement. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the teaching and mentoring of students.
The Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Physics will be a member of the Agile System Lab to work the multi-scale physics of muscle as a versatile actuator under the direction of Professor Simon Sponberg. As part of their employment, the postdoc will participate in a large multi-university team collaboration on muscle biophysics and movement in unsteady conditions involving biologists, physicists, applied mathematicians, and mechanical engineers. The postdoc will help with the execution and facilitation of this project.
This role will be vitally important to the success of this project and will also be responsible for mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students within the group and as part of the multi-university research team. The postdoctoral fellowship offers a competitive salary and benefits.
As a Research University in the University System of Georgia, it is vital that Georgia Tech maintain a vibrant research program to fulfill its missions in scholarship, instruction, and service. Georgia Tech's research program provides doctoral training opportunities as well as important experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students.
PhD in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Biophysics, Materials or Related Fields.
The candidate will have a background in experimental biophysics, biophysical modeling, soft matter, x-ray scattering or diffraction, muscle physiology, biomechanics, or related disciplines. In addition, expertise in working with biological tissue experiments, materials testing, multiscale modeling, or muscle physiology would facilitate project goals.
The successful candidate will have some relevant experience, being amenable to training in related topics, and be available to show both independent problem solving and the ability to work together in a collaborative multidisciplinary lab environment.
Student Success Criteria
Applicants should prepare the following materials as PDF files: (1) a cover letter briefly summarizing their scientific background, strengths, research interests, and why they are a good fit for the position, (2) a curriculum vitae including a complete list of publications, and (3) the names of three references willing to provide letters of recommendation.
Application materials should be submitted as .PDF files via https://hr.gatech.edu/careers. Applications will be considered beginning April 1, 2024, but the search will continue until the positions are filled.
Requests for information may be directed to sponberg@gatech.edu. Please use "Postdoc 2 X Ray Inquiry" as the title of the email.
The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.
Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.
All members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values, which consists of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values shape and fundamentally support our University's work. Additionally, all faculty, staff, and administrators must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents and Georgia Institute of Technology's policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. More information on these policies can be found here: Board of Regents Policy Manual | University System of Georgia (usg.edu).
An earned doctorate is required by the start of the appointment, and a background check must be completed prior to beginning employment. https://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening
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