Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organic Electronic Devices and Organic Solar Cells (Gu group)

Role details

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organic Electronic Devices and Organic Solar Cells (Gu group)

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organic Electronic Devices and Organic Solar Cells (Gu group).

Position Details

Location

Hattiesburg

118 College Drive Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001 United States

Division

Polymer Science and Engineering

Position Type

Staff

Employment Status

Full Time

Grant Funded

Yes

Pay Grade

Posting Close Date

March 1, 2027

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

The Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organic Electronic Devices and Organic Solar Cells (Gu Group) conducts research focused on organic electronic device fabrication, particularly organic solar cells, performance testing, and operational stability. This position investigates how materials, processing methods, device architecture, and encapsulation affect photovoltaic performance and degradation under light, heat, and environmental exposure. The position coordinates research and laboratory activities, analyzes and interprets data, communicates research findings to sponsors and collaborators, and prepares publications and presentations.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate also assists faculty with sponsored project management and reporting and provides research guidance to graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Fabricates and optimizes organic electronic devices, particularly organic solar cells. Develops reproducible procedures for substrate preparation, active-layer and interfacial-layer processing, electrode deposition, and encapsulation. Investigates the effects of processing methods and device architecture on performance.
• Characterizes device performance using current-voltage, external quantum efficiency, and complementary electrical and optical measurements. Investigates performance-limiting mechanisms, establishes testing procedures, and evaluates reproducibility across fabrication batches.
• Evaluates device stability through operational and accelerated aging studies under controlled illumination, temperature, atmosphere, and humidity. Performs maximum power point tracking, analyzes lifetime metrics, and investigates degradation mechanisms and strategies to improve stability.
• Prepares peer-reviewed publications, research proposals, presentations, technical reports, and related documentation. Maintains experimental records, analyzes and interprets research results, assists faculty with sponsored project management and reporting, and communicates project progress to collaborators and funding organizations.
• Trains and mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers in device fabrication, characterization, stability testing, laboratory safety, and data analysis. Provides guidance in establishing research priorities and developing reproducible experimental practices.
• Participates in research collaborations, project meetings, conferences, and travel to collaborating institutions, national laboratories, or sponsor locations as needed. Adheres to University and departmental policies and procedures and supports safe laboratory operations and equipment maintenance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Three (3) years of experience in organic electronic device fabrication and characterization. Three (3) years of experience with organic semiconductor materials, thin-film processing, and materials-device performance relationships. A peer-reviewed publication record is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Knowledge of organic semiconductor materials, device physics, thin-film processing, and photovoltaic characterization.
• Knowledge of organic electronic device fabrication, characterization, and stability testing methods.
• Knowledge of experimental research methods and laboratory safety practices.
• Ability to design and conduct controlled research experiments.
• Ability to troubleshoot device fabrication, instrumentation, and measurement processes.
• Ability to analyze and objectively evaluate device performance, reproducibility, stability, and degradation data.
• Ability to maintain accurate experimental records and research documentation.
• Ability to conduct research independently and collaborate with faculty, scientists, engineers, students, and research partners.
• Ability to prepare scientific publications, research proposals, technical reports, and presentations.
• Ability to train and provide research guidance to graduate and undergraduate researchers.
• Ability to coordinate research activities, priorities, and sponsored project requirements.
• Skill in written and verbal communication
• Skill in technical writing and scientific presentations.
• Skill in organization, problem-solving, and data analysis.
• Ability to travel to conferences, collaborating institutions, national laboratories, and sponsor locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Three (3) years of experience with organic solar cells, including non-fullerene acceptors, is preferred. Three (3) years of experience with spin coating, blade coating, slot-die coating, or related solution-processing methods is preferred. Three (3) years of experience with glovebox operation, vacuum deposition, interfacial-layer engineering, encapsulation, current-voltage measurements, external quantum efficiency measurements, light-intensity-dependent measurements, or maximum power point tracking.

Three (3) years of experience with operational and accelerated aging studies, International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability (ISOS) protocols, and photoinduced, thermal, oxygen-related, or moisture-related degradation is preferred. Three (3) years of experience with electrical, optical, or morphological characterization methods used to evaluate relationships among materials, interfaces, device performance, and stability. Three (3) years of experience with automated data acquisition, instrument control, or performance and lifetime data analysis.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports.

With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.