Advanced Materials Research and Laser Technologies
(AMRELAT) Laboratory at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan is currently
accepting applications for Graduate-level Research Assistants, M.S. and Ph.D. student
positions in the area of laser-based materials characterization and laser metrology.

We are seeking highly motivated and innovative young researchers with strong
experimental skills to be able to work on the development of advanced optical techniques
(laser-based ultrasonics, radiometry, time- and frequency- domain thermoreflectance, photo-
acoustics, Brillouin and Raman spectroscopies) for non-contact measurement of mechanical,
thermal and structural properties of materials with high spatio-temporal resolution. Selected
candidates will work in one of the following three projects:
1) Fast high-temperature thermo-physics of refractory materials – for aerospace,
nuclear and fusion energy applications:
- Nanosecond laser pulse-driven melting, ablation, acoustic wave generation and
detection
- Time- and spatially- resolved laser vibrometry, spectral pyrometry, reflectometry,
Raman scattering and photo-luminescence
- Optical design & construction, measurements, signal processing & automation
2) Nanometer-scale thermal transport across materials and interfaces – for
advanced nuclear energy and electronics applications:
- Femtosecond laser-based time- and frequency- domain thermoreflectance,
- Picosecond acoustics, CW laser-based photoacoustic and Raman techniques
- Nanoscale thermal conduction in ion implanted and swift heavy ion irradiated
solids, in nano-engineered thin films and interfaces, super-lattices and soft matter
- Signal processing & automation
3) GHz visco-elastometry of complex soft matter for advanced fossil fuel energy
and biomedical applications
- Spontaneous and stimulated Brillouin light scattering micro-spectroscopies
- Molecular hydrodynamics, nonlinear and linear opto-acoustics & high frequency
rheometry of complex soft matter
- Optical design & construction, viscoelastic property measurements & automation

Earned BS or MS degree in physics, material science, optics, mechanical
engineering or related field is required for this position. The job duties include designing
and carrying out experiments, acquiring & analyzing data, presenting and reporting research
results. The successful applicant must have the ability to work independently and under
research supervision and is expected to document the research results in international peer-
reviewed journal publications and to present them at seminars, project meetings, national
and international conferences.

This is a full-time, project-funded appointment with competitive salary. Interested
candidates should send their CVs to Prof. Zhandos Utegulov by email:
zhutegulov {at} nu.edu.kz