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Postdoctoral Fellow opportunity

LT
Lily Thompson
Tue, Sep 23, 2025 12:39 AM

Dear colleagues,

I am hiring a postdoc to participate in high-pressure mineral physics
research and mentor undergraduate researchers. Additionally, the
postdoctoral fellow will teach a reduced course load as the instructor of
record. This unique hybrid position provides an opportunity to gain
teaching experience and explore the unique opportunities of working in a
liberal arts college while enabling the fellow to maintain the research
productivity necessary to stay competitive across the job market. This
position has been funded by the NSF for 2 years.

Position Overview:
The postdoctoral fellow will participate in experimental and computational
high-pressure research efforts commensurate with their experience,
including high-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments (X-ray diffraction
and FTIR spectroscopy) and ab initio calculations using Quantum ESPRESSO,
with the expectation of contributing to peer-reviewed publications. The
postdoctoral fellow will be financially supported to present their work at
national scientific conferences.

The postdoctoral fellow will teach a reduced load under the PI’s
mentorship, consisting of Introduction to Physical Geology (lecture and
lab) in the fall term and a special topics lecture course of the fellow's
choosing in the spring term. The PI will provide all course materials for
Introduction to Physical Geology, so that the fellow can adjust to
balancing their teaching and research obligations.

Additional questions about this position can be directed to the project PI,
Dr. Lily Thompson, at ecthomps@sewanee.edu.

Attributes of a Successful Candidate

  • Must have a Ph.D. in Geoscience, Earth and Planetary Science, Physics,
    Chemistry, Material Science, or a closely related field by the beginning of
    the appointment, July 1st, 2026.
  • This position requires previous experience in high-pressure research
    with diamond anvil cells. Experience using synchrotron facilities is
    preferred.
  • This position requires the ability to work independently, guide
    undergraduate researchers, and collaborate productively to meet research
    deadlines.
  • No previous teaching experience required.

Instructions:
For full consideration, please submit an application  at
https://jobs.sewanee.edu by Nov. 15, 2025.

Applicants must submit

  • CV
  • Cover letter
  • Names of three people who have agreed to submit a letter of
    recommendation on your behalf. Letters of recommendation will be requested
    of applicants who proceed to the semi-finalist stage of the process.

Thank you,
Lily

Dr. Elizabeth (Lily) Thompson
Associate Professor of Geology
Chair of the Dept. of Earth & Environmental Systems
The University of the South
131 Alabama Ave,
Sewanee, TN 37375
931-598-3321
website https://sites.google.com/sewanee.edu/mineralphysics/home

Dear colleagues, I am hiring a postdoc to participate in high-pressure mineral physics research and mentor undergraduate researchers. Additionally, the postdoctoral fellow will teach a reduced course load as the instructor of record. This unique hybrid position provides an opportunity to gain teaching experience and explore the unique opportunities of working in a liberal arts college while enabling the fellow to maintain the research productivity necessary to stay competitive across the job market. This position has been funded by the NSF for 2 years. *Position Overview:* The postdoctoral fellow will participate in experimental and computational high-pressure research efforts commensurate with their experience, including high-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments (X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy) and ab initio calculations using Quantum ESPRESSO, with the expectation of contributing to peer-reviewed publications. The postdoctoral fellow will be financially supported to present their work at national scientific conferences. The postdoctoral fellow will teach a reduced load under the PI’s mentorship, consisting of Introduction to Physical Geology (lecture and lab) in the fall term and a special topics lecture course of the fellow's choosing in the spring term. The PI will provide all course materials for Introduction to Physical Geology, so that the fellow can adjust to balancing their teaching and research obligations. Additional questions about this position can be directed to the project PI, Dr. Lily Thompson, at ecthomps@sewanee.edu. *Attributes of a Successful Candidate* - Must have a Ph.D. in Geoscience, Earth and Planetary Science, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or a closely related field by the beginning of the appointment, July 1st, 2026. - This position requires previous experience in high-pressure research with diamond anvil cells. Experience using synchrotron facilities is preferred. - This position requires the ability to work independently, guide undergraduate researchers, and collaborate productively to meet research deadlines. - No previous teaching experience required. *Instructions:* For full consideration, please submit an application at https://jobs.sewanee.edu by Nov. 15, 2025. Applicants must submit - CV - Cover letter - Names of three people who have agreed to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters of recommendation will be requested of applicants who proceed to the semi-finalist stage of the process. Thank you, Lily *Dr. Elizabeth (Lily) Thompson* Associate Professor of Geology Chair of the Dept. of Earth & Environmental Systems The University of the South 131 Alabama Ave, Sewanee, TN 37375 931-598-3321 website <https://sites.google.com/sewanee.edu/mineralphysics/home>