Postdoctoral Researcher – Center for Materials Innovation and Technology (CMIT)

ABOUT VINUNIVERSITY

VinUniversity (VinUni) is Vietnam’s first private, not-for-profit university built to international standards. Established to transform higher education in Vietnam, VinUni blends global best practices with local context to become a world-class institution.

VinUni comprises of more than 1700 students and 4 colleges: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Management; College of Engineering and Computer Science; and College of Health Sciences. 

Every aspect of the University: its curricula, research, faculty, student body, facilities, and campus life, is developed to meet the highest standards set by the world’s leading accrediting and ranking organizations, such as ABET, AACSB, WFME, ACEN, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE). 

In September 2024, VinUni became the youngest and fastest university in the world to achieve QS 5 stars across 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.

Founded by Vingroup—one of Asia’s largest private conglomerates—VinUni benefits from a strong ecosystem of businesses in three main areas: Industrials & Technology; Real Estate & Services; Infrastructure; Green Energy; and Social Enterprises.

Aligned with VinUni’s Vision 2030, we are proud to announce our bold initiative to recruit 200 Research-focused Faculty across various disciplines. Together, we will be on the ambitious journey to become one of the world’s top universities by 2030. 

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. The Center for Materials Innovation and Technology (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
• 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:

• Computational materials modeling: DFT, molecular dynamics, phase-field modeling, or multiscale simulations.
• Data-driven materials discovery: ML models for property prediction, materials design, or synthesis optimization.
• AI/ML methods development: Neural networks, graph neural networks (GNNs), generative AI, or active learning for materials applications.
• Integration of theory and experiment: Using computation and ML to interpret or guide experimental work.
• High-performance computing (HPC) and data management for large-scale materials datasets.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Join us if you have: 

• Doctorate degree from a globally recognized institution, with expertise in materials science
• Strong vision for impactful, forward-thinking research and innovation.
• Proven record of high-impact research and top-tier publications.
• Passion for education and advancing science through innovative projects.
• Adaptable and driven to address global and local challenges, especially those relevant to Vietnam.
• Alignment with VinUni’s core values: Empathy, Exceptional Capability, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Leadership Mindset.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The postdoctoral researcher will work on an interdisciplinary research project focused on AI-optimized ultrafast photothermal processing of functional materials for smart sensors, printed electronics, and sustainable energy applications. The project aims to replace conventional energy-intensive thermal treatments with intense pulsed light (IPL)–based photothermal processing, enabling millisecond-scale, localized heating with significantly reduced energy consumption and compatibility with flexible substrates.

The research combines experimental materials processing, advanced characterization, and data-driven optimization. Carbon-based photothermal enhancers and functional material systems—including conductive, semiconducting, and porous films—will be processed using IPL, with performance validated through electrical, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. Machine-learning and physics-informed AI models will be developed to optimize processing parameters, predict structure–property–performance relationships, and minimize experimental trial-and-error.

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to:

• Lead experimental photothermal processing and materials fabrication activities
• Design and implement AI/ML models for process optimization and performance prediction (CNN, physics informed AI, agentic AI, explainable AI, etc.)
• Integrate experimental data with modeling efforts to guide novel materials development
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in the project
• Develop applications in printed electronics, smart sensors, and battery treatments
• Contribute to high-impact journal publications, conference presentations, intellectual property development and collaborations with industrial and international partners

This position offers a unique opportunity to establish a shared IPL–AI processing capability at CMIT, contribute to sustainable materials manufacturing, and engage in international collaborations. The postdoc will work closely with faculty at CMIT and CECS, as well as with external academic partners, while developing an independent research profile aligned with CMIT’s strategic vision.

CONTACT

Interested applicants for the advertised postdoctoral position should contact Prof. Simon Park by email at simon.p@vinuni.edu.vn.