[AY26-27] Postdoctoral Researcher – Center for Materials Innovation and Technology (CMIT)

ABOUT VINUNIVERSITY

VinUniversity (VinUni) is the first private, not-for-profit Vietnamese university established based on international standards. The university integrates the models of excellent international universities with the unique cultural and economic characteristics of Vietnam, to make a breakthrough in Vietnamese higher education and to become a world-class university. 

The University has built strategic collaborations with Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania — a choice that speaks to our commitment to excellence, innovation in research and teaching, and to making a difference in the world. VinUni comprises of College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Management; College of Engineering and Computer Science; and College of Health Sciences.  

VinUni’s founding benefactor - Vingroup is one of the biggest private conglomerates in Asia with the largest market capitalization value in Vietnam. As a multisector corporation, Vingroup focuses on six pillars: Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture and Social Enterprises. VinUni is proud to be a part of the Vingroup ecosystem, giving its students the opportunities to connect with pioneering companies (such as VinFast, Vinpearl, Vinmec, Vinschool, and Vinhomes) and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem (such as VinVenture, VinMotion, or VinRobotics, VinSpace…). 

In September 2024, VinUni became the youngest and fastest university in the world to achieve QS 5 stars, earning 5 stars in 9 categories: global engagement, good governance, program strength, academic development, teaching, employability, facilities, arts, and social impact.  In October 2024, VinUni was appointed by UNESCO as the first and only UNESCO University Chair, focusing on Environmental Leadership, Cultural Heritage, and Biodiversity.  

On our journey to become one of the world’s top 100 universities, VinUni is building a dynamic ecosystem of innovation and discovery. Through strategic investments in world-class research centers, state-of-the-art facilities, and transformative technologies, the university empowers collaboration across disciplines, strengthens partnerships with industry and society, and nurtures a thriving global network, who spearheads advancements in AI/Machine Learning, Data Science, Environmental Intelligence, Innovations in Health Sciences, Policy Development and Sustainable Societies.

THE CENTER FOR MATERIALS INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CMIT)

Materials science underpins nearly every modern technology from clean energy and AI to electronics, biomedicine, defense, and space exploration. CMIT aims to become a leading hub for research and international collaboration in advanced materials, driving Vietnam’s strategic technological advancement. CMIT fosters breakthrough innovation in materials for electronics, energy, biomedicine, and sustainability, while nurturing young scientists and future leaders who create knowledge and value for a sustainable future.

By 2030, CMIT aspires to be recognized among the world’s leading centers for materials innovation, advancing sustainable technologies, promoting global collaboration, and training a new generation of scientific leaders who transform knowledge into societal and national impact.

Research areas:

• Rare-Earth Materials and Recycling Technologies
• Soft Materials, Magnetically Actuated Systems, and Soft Robotics
• Advanced Functional Materials for Energy and Smart Technologies
• Sustainable Energy Materials for Green Technologies 
• Quantum Materials for Next-Generation Technologies
• AI-Integrated Smart Sensors for Environmental and Healthcare Monitoring 

We welcome applications from those with expertise in or across these disciplines:

• Bottom-up synthesis of oxide materials, magnetic materials, high-entropy materials, nanomaterials, multifunctional composites, and hybrid material systems.
• Prototype development, functional device fabrication, and performance evaluation for energy, sensing, biomedical, and soft robotic applications.
• Structural, microstructural, magnetic, electrical, thermal, and mechanical characterization using advanced analytical techniques.
• Magnetically responsive materials, soft actuators, flexible electronics, intelligent sensing systems, and multifunctional robotic materials.
• Design, fabrication, and testing of thermoelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, magnetoelectric, or hybrid energy harvesting systems.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• A PhD degree from a globally recognized institution in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in either (i) the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles, high-entropy materials, oxide materials, or multifunctional composites for energy applications, or (ii) magnetically responsive materials, soft actuators, smart materials, or soft robotics.
• Hands-on experience with advanced materials characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM/TEM, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, VSM/PPMS, thermal analysis, or mechanical testing.
• A strong publication record in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals and the ability to conduct independent, high-quality research.
• Excellent English communication skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary and international research teams.
• Alignment with VinUni‘s core values: Empathy, Exceptional Capability, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Leadership Mindset.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The postdoctoral researcher will join the CMIT to contribute to one of two ongoing interdisciplinary research projects in advanced functional materials. Depending on the successful candidate‘s expertise, the postdoctoral researcher will work on either an energy harvesting project or a soft robotics project.

Project 1: Advanced Functional Materials for Energy Harvesting

This project focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles, high-entropy materials, and multifunctional oxide materials for next-generation energy harvesting technologies. The objective is to understand structure–property relationships and integrate these materials into high-performance energy harvesting devices, including thermoelectric, piezoelectric, magnetoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid energy systems. The project also explores computational materials design and AI-assisted optimization to accelerate materials discovery and improve device performance.

OR

Project 2: Magnetically Driven Materials for Soft Robotics

This project focuses on developing magnetically responsive materials and multifunctional soft composites for intelligent soft robotic systems. The research aims to synthesize novel magnetic materials capable of programmable deformation and remote actuation under external magnetic fields. These materials will be integrated into soft actuators, biomedical devices, flexible sensors, and other adaptive systems for applications in healthcare, minimally invasive technologies, and intelligent manufacturing.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Design and synthesize advanced functional materials using bottom-up chemical synthesis approaches.
• Perform advanced structural, magnetic, electrical, thermal, and mechanical characterization to establish structure–property relationships.
• Develop and evaluate functional prototypes for either energy harvesting or magnetically actuated soft robotic applications, depending on the assigned project.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students while collaborating with interdisciplinary and international research teams.
• Publish high-quality research in leading journals, present research at international conferences, and contribute to intellectual property and research grant development.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge research at the interface of advanced materials, sustainable energy technologies, and intelligent soft robotic systems. The successful candidate will contribute to establishing internationally recognized research capabilities in multifunctional materials while developing an independent research profile aligned with the strategic vision of CMIT.

CONTACT

Interested applicants for the advertised postdoctoral position should submit their application by email to Dr. Saurabh Pathak at [email protected]. The application package should include:

• A current curriculum vitae (CV)
• A one-page cover letter outlining the applicant‘s research experience, interests, and motivation for applying
• A one-page research proposal describing how the applicant‘s expertise and proposed research align with the project
• Three representative publications

 

We thank all applicants for their interest. Please note that only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.