Post-Doctoral Associate

Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences. The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly’s deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation. JOB TITLEPost-Doctoral AssociateJOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARYThe Organic Optical Materials Group in the Department of Engineering Physics at the Florida Polytechnic University is seeking applicants for Post-doctoral Scholar.
The Department of Engineering Physics at Florida Polytechnic University offers a program in Engineering Physics. The degree program consists of required core physics and core engineering courses, a sequence of design courses, and electives in both engineering and physics. The Organic Optical Materials Group performs research in support of the University mission and performs experiments in the Laser Laboratory and Physics Wet Laboratory on the main Florida Polytechnic University campus. The post-doc position is supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 2337595) and under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Nathan Dawson.JOB DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH:

Some of the most brilliant colors in nature are not caused by light-absorbing dyes or pigments, but rather from the very microscopic structure of objects. Many tropical fish display beautiful iridescent colors through the interference of reflected light waves from small planar structures inside specialized cells called iridophores. These reflective structures have similarities to modern microscopic laser technologies. Instead of reflecting light, iridophore cells can be infused with fluorescent molecules and emit light. The structures inside the iridophores cause light to bounce around for long periods of time which causes the feedback necessary for laser emission at the microscopic scale. The project’s goals are to better understand laser light scattering and emission from iridescent biological structures and use this information as a tool to gain new insights surrounding the microscopic structures found in some specialized cells. To this end, the underlying physics of laser light emitted from the iridophores found in two different fish species will be probed using light-based experimental methods. Understanding laser emission from biological media can potentially impact the fields of biology, laser physics, materials science, and medicine.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:

• Ph.D. in Physics, or a closely related field
• Prior research experience some of the following fields:
  • Optoelectronics
  • Optical materials
  • Biophotonics
  • Biomaterials
  • Fluorescence microscopy

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• The following research skills are highly desirable:
  • Setup and alignment of optical experiments
  • Laser fabrication and characterization
  • Automation of experimental apparatus
  • FDTD method with Maxwell-Bloch
  • Biological sample preparation
  • Experience handling fish or other aquatic animals
  • Mentorship of undergraduate research students

EXPECTED STARTING SALARY: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE:

• Positions are open until filled (or recruitment canceled). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS: All Applicants are required to submit the following in PDF format during the application process:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of at least 2 professional references (names and contact information)
• Unofficial copy of Ph.D. transcript

ABOUT FLORIDA POLY:

Florida Polytechnic University opened for classes in 2014-15 and is the twelfth university in the Florida State University System. The University was created as an exclusively STEM-focused public university that offers high-value undergraduate and graduate degrees and that has intentional industry connections with a focus on economic development of the high-tech I-4 corridor. Dedicated to preparing students for the competitive STEM workforce, Florida Polytechnic University blends traditional subject matter mastery with problem solving and laboratory experiences to provide students with learning opportunities applicable to both the workplace and a career of lifelong learning. The University delivers its courses in small class sizes, emphasizes a positive student to faculty experience, and is dedicated to both its teaching and research mission.

Florida Poly does not have a traditional tenure system. Faculty are employed via renewable, term defined appointments, codified in a collective bargaining agreement, that substantially mirrors tenure systems with reappointment and progression in rank upon completion of a significant review of accomplishments.

Lakeland, home to Florida Polytechnic University’s ultra-modern campus, is located along the I-4 High Tech Corridor halfway between Tampa and Orlando. Our central Florida community combines small town comfort with big-city culture. Florida’s High-Tech Corridor is home to 11,000 high-tech businesses, and Polk County alone has more than 600,000 residents, four universities and one state college. Lakeland is just a 45-minute drive from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, professional sports teams, and thriving performing art centers. With no income tax in Florida, and a high standard of living, Lakeland and Central Florida continue to rise among the best places to live and work.

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATIONFlorida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.RETIREMENTFlorida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click here for more information. FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS

• Perks and Discounts
• Annual Leave
  • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.
• Sick Leave
  • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDAConveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS: Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered. An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire. Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline. All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements. This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.