Varun Kamboj PhD., Dr.

Overview

Experimental Condensed Matter Physics

Ph.D., University of Cambridge, 2019
Lindemann Research Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2022

Varun Kamboj is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Wichita State University. He received his PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge, where he conducted his research at the Cavendish Laboratory, focusing on terahertz spectroscopy of quantum materials, particularly topological insulators and their heterostructures. He subsequently joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a Lindemann Research Fellow, focusing on quantum materials, nanoscale infrared spectroscopy, and scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). His current research spans two-dimensional materials, topological systems, superconductors, and other emerging materials, with an emphasis on developing new spectroscopic capabilities to investigate quantum and low-dimensional materials across length, energy, and temperature scales.

Prospective undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students: please see Additional Information for research opportunities in the group.

Academic Interests and Expertise

• Terahertz (THz) Spectroscopy 
• Quantum Materials 
• Visible, mid-IR, THz Near-field Microscopy / s-SNOM
• Scanning Probe Techniques
• Low-temperature Magnetotransport

Areas of Research Interest

My research investigates topological and correlated phases in quantum materials, such as topological insulators, magnetic materials, and 2D van der Waals heterostructures, using cryogenic THz and mid-IR spectroscopy, complemented by low-temperature transport measurements. Combining nanometer spatial resolution, millielectron-volt (meV) energy sensitivity, and cryogenic compatibility, my work probes low-energy electronic, magnetic, and polaritonic excitations relevant to superconductivity, topological surface states, and emergent quantum phases.

Areas of Teaching Interest

Thermophysics 

Modern Physics 

Quantum Technologies

Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KseiJ6IAAAAJ&hl=en

Professional Experience

2022 – 2026: Postdoctoral Associate, Lindemann Research Fellow.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.

2019 – 2022: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK. Grant: EPSRC – High Precision Terahertz Spectroscopy and Microscopy.

Awards and Honors

• Lindemann Trust Fellowship, MIT (2022)
  Prestigious UK fellowship awarded annually to outstanding early-career scientists to pursue postdoctoral research in the US.
• Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2012–2016)
  Full scholarship for highly competitive PhD admission, awarded to exceptional international students.
• Cambridge Philosophical Society Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2016–2019) Merit-based scholarship supporting advanced doctoral research.
• Semiconductor Physics Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2012)
  Awarded for excellence in semiconductor physics research potential.
• White Rose Scholarship, University of Hull (2010–2012)
  Competitive regional scholarship supporting MPhil study in Engineering Physics.
• Engineering Scholarship, University of Hull (2010–2012)
  Merit-based scholarship recognizing academic excellence during postgraduate study.
• MISTI-MIT Global Seed Fund Award, MIT (2022)
  Competitive seed funding supporting collaborative international research (co-awarded)

Additional Information

We welcome talented and highly motivated graduate and undergraduate students interested in joining our research group.

For prospective PhD students, experience with two-dimensional materials and optics is desirable but not required.

Interested students are encouraged to contact Prof. Varun Kamboj directly at varun.kamboj@wichita.edu with a brief description of their background and research interests.