W

West Virginia University

Public land-grant flagship research university

Postdoctoral Researcher - Department of Physics & Astronomy

Full-Time
No salary listed
Senior
PhD
Morgantown, WV, USA
In Person
Academic & Institutional ResearchPhysical Sciences

About the job

Requirements
  • A Ph.D. in Physics is required.
  • A strong experimental background and/or experience with low-temperature plasma sources, plasma diagnostics, lasers, vacuum systems, and spectroscopy is required.
  • Working knowledge of plasma sources, plasma diagnostics, lasers, and spectroscopy is required.
  • The candidate must be able to travel for work and correspond with others.
  • The candidate must use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • The candidate must consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • The candidate must communicate effectively orally and in writing, as demonstrated by journal publications and presentations at technical meetings.
  • The candidate must identify complex problems, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement solutions.
  • The candidate must combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
  • The candidate must write technical reports, procedures, papers, and presentations, and communicate results and scientific information to clients, sponsors, and members of the scientific community.
  • The candidate must choose appropriate mathematical methods or formulas to solve problems.
  • The candidate must perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload.
  • The candidate must work independently to complete assigned projects.
Responsibilities
  • Perform experimental plasma physics research.
  • Supervise graduate and undergraduate students in research.
  • Disseminate research results.
  • Write publications based on project results.
  • Present research results at international professional meetings, technical conferences, and research group meetings.
  • Publish research results in academic-quality archival journals.
  • Oversee research group equipment and software maintenance.

About the company

W

West Virginia University

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West Virginia University is a public land-grant research university in Morgantown, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across colleges including medicine, law, engineering, and business, alongside NASA-affiliated and other research initiatives. What sets WVU apart is its role as the state's flagship institution and its hub for statewide extension, research, and community partnerships. The goal is to expand access to education and drive research and service that benefit West Virginia and beyond.

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Headquarters

Morgantown, West Virginia

Founded

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • State lawmakers restored higher-ed funding and added $32 million for WVU Medicine in 2026.
  • WVU’s Cancer Institute designation work attracted fresh state money and a new treatment center.
  • Freshman retention hit 85.1%, and first-generation retention rose 78.6%, strengthening tuition durability.

What critics are saying

  • The 2023 cuts eliminated 28 programs and 143 faculty, scarred morale, and damaged trust.
  • NCAA won April 2026 eligibility litigation, undercutting WVU athletics flexibility and recruiting stability.
  • Enrollment declines already forced a $45 million deficit; another slide revives cuts by 2027.

What makes West Virginia University unique

  • WVU secured a $50 million Cancer Institute gift, anchoring Morgantown cancer expansion in 2026.
  • WVU posted a 10-year high in applications and 85.1% freshman retention in 2026.
  • WVU’s 2026 budget expects $367 million in grants and contracts, supporting research depth.

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Benefits

  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Professional Development Budget

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