Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Oxide and Nitride Materials

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

A Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in the Materials Science Center, in the area of thin film synthesis of nitride and oxide materials using Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy. The position would involve synthesis and characterization of oxide and nitride materials for electronic applications using molecular beam epitaxy system with radio-frequency plasma sources. Particular emphasis will be placed on the growth, doping, and characterization of electronic-grade ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors.

The position would support both basic research projects and applied development projects on ultra-wide bandgap oxide materials including both gallium oxide, group III nitrides, and other emerging oxides and nitrides. Possible device applications include radio-frequency transistors, power diodes, radiation detectors, sensors for extreme environments, and other semiconductor devices. The job duties will also include stewardship of recently acquired deposition and characterization equipment, maintaining existing experimental facilities, as well as development and modification of data analysis software.

The postdoc appointment is for up to 3 years total, reviewed and extended annually based on program needs, funding availability and performance.

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Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Solid experience operating a plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy tool
• Hands-on ability to maintain complex vacuum deposition equipment
• Prior background in oxides or nitride materials research, or other relevant materials systems
• Some experience with semiconductor materials or electronic devices
• Established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publishing, and communication

Preferred Qualifications

Any of the additional prior experiences would be considered a plus:

• Prior direct experience with cleanroom-based semiconductor device fabrication, with emphasis placed on ultra-wide bandgap materials and their associated devices
• Prior direct experience with material development for one of the device application areas above
• Prior experience (e.g., intern) in an industrial or laboratory R&D setting, design of experiments
• In-depth knowledge on one or several materials characterization methods, such as diffraction, spectroscopy, microscopy, material property measurements
• Active computer skills in programing (e.g. LabView, C/Igor Pro, Python, Matlab, etc.), statistical data analysis, and/or software development
• Mentorship experience with undergraduate or graduate students
• Strong motivation, ability to work on collaborative projects, ability to balance different types of tasks

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annua