We believe in training the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders from diverse backgrounds and possessing broad skillsets by making meaningful contributions to fundamental science and applied technology. If you are excited by our research directions, please go through the information on this page and email Avik (avikdutt -at- umd.edu) with your CV. We encourage applications from groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM, and from underserved, or first-generation scientists and engineers.
Why UMD?
The University of Maryland, College Park has a strong research presence in the fields of physical sciences and engineering. It benefits from the proximity to the nation’s capital in Washington D.C., the various labs at the National Institutes of Standard and Technology (NIST), and the federal agencies such as National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Hence, students and postdocs can expect to find a wealth of opportunities in academia, industry and government (national labs as well as policy) after their time at UMD.
Specifically for our research interests in nanophotonics and quantum science, the following aspects are very attractive:
- The Maryland NanoCenter has excellent nanofabrication facilities in the FabLab, and characterization facilities in the AIMLab. Check out the equipment! Additionally, the NIST CNST nanofab is nearby and contains advanced equipment for lithography, patterning and etching.
- UMD is consistently ranked among the top ten places for research in quantum technologies globally, for instance, by the The Quantum Insider and Analytics Insight.
- Various institutes such as QTC, IPST, IREAP, JQI, and QuICS provide widespread opportunities for collaboration between the many research groups and disciplines in quantum technologies or photonics.
- UMD is ranked #6 among quantum physics graduate programs and among atomic/molecular/optical (AMO) physics graduate programs by US News, and consistently ranks among the top 15-20 graduate programs in most engineering disciplines.
- The nearby Laboratory for Physical Sciences and the Laboratory for Telecommunication Sciences focus on optical/RF innovations as well as solid-state devices.
- The recently established Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance comprising 11 universities, 4 government labs and 11 companies, of which UMD is a leading member, focuses on four areas: quantum {communications, computing, materials and sensing}. It facilitates research, education, startups and technology transfer across institutes, emphasizing on training the workforce to scale up quantum technologies.
- Similarly, the brand new NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation “uses quantum simulation to gain insight into and take advantage of the rich behavior of complex quantum systems,” by bringing researchers from five universities together. The three major research challenges being addressed here are, (i) Verified quantum simulations, (ii) Quantum simulations face the environment, and (iii) Scalable quantum simulations for science and technology.
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate research is an excellent way to gain experience, especially with laboratory experiments but also with theory, modeling and simulations. Students with interests in photonics, quantum computing, electromagnetics and any related quantum or classical technology are encouraged to apply. Please include relevant coursework in electromagnetics, nanotechnology, quantum mechanics or any experience with designing electronic systems and FPGAs in your email. Include your CV (with GPA) and transcripts (unofficial is fine). While some familiarity with a subset of these topics is helpful, what is most important is a willingness to learn things quickly and develop fun science and engineering projects.
Graduate students
Please apply to the UMD graduate program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) AND email Avik with your CV, including your GPA. Transcripts help as well (unofficial is fine). The deadline to be considered for financial aid is in early December. You can also apply to the Chemical Physics program in the Institute for Physical Science and Technology (IPST). More information about the graduate programs can be found here (ME) and here (IPST). Please email Avik if you have applied to these graduate programs or are planning to apply and are interested – there may be positions available.
Postdocs
We might have openings for prospective postdocs with experience in photonics, nanofabrication, quantum simulation, gradient-based optimization and related areas. Typical applicants would have a doctoral degree in engineering or physics, but qualified applicants from other fields with relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.
Please email Avik with a CV, one or two representative publications, and a brief discussion of research skills and interests.
Internal and external postdoctoral funding opportunities might be available – feel free to get in touch with Avik to discuss them.