Group Leader: Dr. Zubin Jacob, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Other affiliations: Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue Quantum Center, U. of Alberta.

Main Research Areas: Casimir forces, quantum nanophotonics, plasmonics, metamaterials,
Vacuum fluctuations, open quantum systems, spin-photonics, quantum light-matter interaction
Description of research: The Jacob research group works on both theory and experiment on
various aspects of quantum nanophotonics, including plasmonics, metamaterials, and Casimir
forces. The group has done some seminal work in the field of hyperbolic metamaterials. The
current focus of the group is to utilize the topological aspects of electrodynamics in quantum
materials to design novel photonic applications. Dr. Jacob is interested to use density functional
theory (DFT) and post DFT methods to understand electrodynamics in emerging topological and
two-dimensional materials, as part of this project. The group has proposed a set of ideas on
photonic devices utilizing novel light-matter interaction in emerging materials. Detailed first
principle calculations of bandstructure, dielectric functions, and other optical properties are of
interest to translate these ideas into realistic settings.

Expectations: The group offers opportunities to closely interact with experimentalists internally,
travel to conferences, workshops and collaborate with various theorists around the world.
Regular one-on-one meetings with group leader and team meetings can be expected.
Application process: The interested candidates should send their curriculum vita and three
major publications to Prof. Jacob at zjacob (at )purdue.edu

Desired Skills:
 Outstanding academic record.
 Prior research experience. High quality PhD thesis and publications in leading journals.
 Background in solid-state physics or optoelectronics. Knowledge of electronic structure
and quantum mechanics.
 Background in nano-photonics or plasmonics recommended.
 Background in Density Functional Theory (DFT) preferred. Experience with VASP is
desired.
 Experience with scripting languages such as python or Matlab.
 Good communication skills for presenting and writing up research work.
 Ability to work in a team and collaborate with external groups.
Website: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=8FXvN_EAAAAJ&hl=en

Weblink: www.electrodynamics.org, Twitter: twitter.com/zjresearchgroup

Salary: Base annual salary US$ 48K, health and other benefits.

Term: 2 years. May be extended based on performance and availability of funds.

Location: Living in West-Lafayette or Lafayette, Indiana is affordable and fun. Purdue has a
diverse, multi-cultural student body and 2 hours from Chicago. School of Electrical and
Computer Engineering at Purdue University is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the U.S.
Purdue Engineering combines the perfect mix of fundamental science and application and is
one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the world.

Major Breakthrough Papers:
Science (2011) and Science (2012)
Nature Nanotechnology (2016)
Nature Communications (2016)
Optica (2016)
Optica (2014)
Nature Communications (2017)