Department of Materials Science & Engineering at Jimma University (mse.ju.edu.et) is one of the largest academic departments of this field around the world covering different areas with an international members. There are 2 BSc, 4 MSc, and 6 PhD programs. The Department has strong international connections with research groups in Europe and North America, as this is our main theme. As a part of our joint projects, the postdoc fellows may stay for a few months in our partner labs in Europe or North America.

There is an immediate postdoc position in the area of mechanics of materials with a focus on materials design and application. The candidate will join current projects, but there are lots of opportunities for new projects and funding; thus, candidates with new ideas are most welcome.

Successful candidate should have a PhD in engineering or a closely related field. Research experience connected with materials is mandatory.

We have a unique strategy in leading the team. Please check the group strategy at http://director.nias.us/group/selection-criteria.html

❃ You will work in a team of 15 – 20 postdoc fellows coming from different countries.

❃ We are looking for people who are ambitious and want to take this step as a jump in his/her academic career to build a world-class research group. There is no room for people who are interested in routine jobs for today.

❃ The salary is $24,000 – $26,000 tax-free, which is quite high considering the cost of living (i.e. four times higher than local full professors). Housing and flights will be covered. On the other hand, we are looking for those who are interested in the potentials of this position rather than a routine job with high salary.

❃ Jimma city is probably different from your imagination about Africa. The nature is greener than Europe, and the weather is always at excellent condition (18 – 25 C).

❃ Experience of working in Africa is a unique privilege for academic career, and this is the golden opportunity to experience Africa by working in an international team without cultural differences.

Criteria of Selection

➠ The main criterion of selection is the motivation and passion for cutting-edge research. We are generally interested in applicants who wish to work in a leading research group as a transition to continue their scientific career in top universities, rather than applicants who look for routine jobs in their scientific career.
➠ Our strategy is result-oriented research with tangible progress of projects in planned direction.
➠ Candidates must be committed to team work, and follow planned duties precisely.
➠ Candidate's attitude for being supervised in direction of the group missions.

Application Steps

➊ Applications should be submitted online via THIS PAGE ONLY. DO NOT submit applications by email, as the process is through the online system.
➋ Applications will be immediately reviewed to examine basic criteria of selection. Shortlisted candidates will be normally notified within a week after submission.
➌ After receiving the letters of recommendation, candidates will be interviewed by the Department Head.
➍ The final step is a friendly chat with the department/group members over skype. In this stage, candidate can get full information about the workplace, duties, strategies, social life, etc directly from prospective colleagues. Since we are committed to democracy, the final selection is based on votes of the department/group members.