About the Opportunity Job Summary The DeLTA Lab, led by Professor Alberto de la Torre, studies how light can be used to control and engineer new phases of matter in quantum materials and has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The position is funded by Professor de la Torre’s National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award, “Engineering order in frustrated quantum materials via strong light-matter coupling.” The postdoctoral researcher will design and fabricate photonic cavities for strong light-matter coupling at infrared (IR) and terahertz (THz) frequencies and develop on-chip ultrafast transport platforms. Both platforms will be integrated with exfoliated flakes and thin films of frustrated quantum materials and characterized with the lab’s time-resolved optical, THz, and second-harmonic-generation spectroscopies, including a 7 T, 1.5 K optical cryostat fitted with radio frequency (RF) leads. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with collaborators in the College of Engineering, fabricate devices in the Kostas cleanroom, and help mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, including co-op researchers. The appointment is for one year and is renewable for a second year contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding. Minimum Qualifications Required PhD or foreign equivalent in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field, completed by the start date Knowledge of electromagnetic and photonic device design, micro- and nanofabrication, and optical or electrical characterization of materials, as normally acquired through a PhD in the field Ability to design, fabricate, and test optical cavities and/or high-frequency electronic devices Ability to perform electromagnetic simulations, such as finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) or finite-element methods Ability to independently plan experiments, analyze data, and communicate results in peer-reviewed publications Preferred Hands-on experience with cleanroom nanofabrication, such as lithography, thin-film deposition, and etching Experience designing photonic, THz, or microwave cavities Experience with ultrafast optics, THz or on-chip picosecond electronics, superconducting devices, or cryogenic measurements Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities Photonic Cavity Design and Fabrication (30%): Design, simulate, and fabricate photonic cavities, including IR/mid-IR distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) microcavities and quartz/vacuum THz cavities, resonant with collective excitations of target quantum materials using FDTD and inverse-design methods. Integrate exfoliated flakes and thin films into the cavities and characterize the cavity response and light-matter coupling with optical and THz spectroscopy On-Chip Ultrafast Transport Platforms (30%): Design and fabricate on-chip ultrafast transport platforms based on photoconductive Auston switches and coplanar waveguides. Perform device processing at the Kostas cleanroom, including lithography, deposition, etching, and wire bonding Device Testing and Measurement (20%): Test and benchmark the devices using time-resolved optical and electrical measurements, including pump-probe photoconductive sampling, THz time-domain spectroscopy, and second-harmonic generation, at room temperature and in the 7 T, 1.5 K optical cryostat. Use these platforms to measure light-induced changes in the transport and optical properties of frustrated quantum materials Research Communication (10%): Analyze data, prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, present results at group meetings and international conferences, including the American Physical Society (APS) March Meeting and the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), and contribute to project reports and proposals Mentoring and Laboratory Practices (10%): Mentor and train graduate, undergraduate, and co-op researchers in device design, cleanroom fabrication, and ultrafast measurement techniques, and help maintain safe laboratory and cleanroom practices. The position carries no formal teaching duties Required Documents Resume Position Type Research Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 108S Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 - $85,192.50 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.    Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.

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22 Oct, 2026

Northeastern

Part-Time Lecturer

Part time

Boston, MA (Main Campus)

Part time

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