Jian Shi

Jian Shi is a Professor in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He also holds a Simons Foundation Pivot Fellowship and has been a Visiting Scholar at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2012)
• Postdoc in Applied Physics, Harvard University (2014)

His research focuses on understanding and engineering the optical, electronic, and spintronic properties of novel materials, particularly van der Waals solids, polar/ferroelectric crystals, chiral systems, and materials with tunable Berry parameters. His group develops experimental approaches for energy-efficient quantum and spintronic devices, utilizing strain engineering, symmetry manipulation, and heterostructure design.

Recent publications highlight advancements in halide perovskite engineering, strain-induced topological phases, and quantum device applications. Key trends include spin-orbit coupling, ferroelectricity, and 2D materialsfor computing and energy conversion.

• Simons Foundation Pivot Fellowship (2023)
• IEEE Ferroelectrics Young Investigator Award (2023)
• School of Engineering Outstanding Research Team Award (2024)
• Early Career Editor roles at Journal of Applied Physics (2020–present)

His group has advised numerous Ph.D. students and postdocs now placed at institutions like Applied Materials, Apple, and Micron Technology. Funding sources include NSF, AFOSR, ARO, and IBM.

Key lab equipment includes customized ALD, PLD, and CVD systems, cryogenic transport and optical stages, high-pressure reactors, and advanced spectroscopy tools. Collaborative research spans quantum computing, neuromorphic devices, and energy materials.