Postdoctoral Research Associate- Thin Film Synthesis and Characterization of Quantum Materials

Requisition Id 14827 

­­Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on the synthesis of quantum materials aimed at understanding their novel properties. This will be a highly collaborative position residing in the Quantum Heterostructures Group in the Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

 

As part of our research team led by Dr. Matthew Brahlek and Dr. Rob Moore, you will focus on the growth of thin film and heterostructure quantum materials utilizing molecular beam epitaxy, and probing the crystalline, electronic, and magnetic properties. Your emphasis will be on the development and characterization of new material platforms to understand and control emergent phenomena in heterostructures of strongly correlated phases, Dirac materials, Weyl semimetals, topological insulators, etc. This will include preforming characterization in a unique state of the art laboratory to study the structure, electronic structure, and magnetic state. In addition, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities at the Center for Nanophase Material Science (CNMS), and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), both DOE user facilities onsite at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Synthesize thin films materials by molecular beam epitaxy.
• Characterize electronic, magnetic properties and structural properties. Necessary to have experience with the select techniques such as:
  • Electronic transport with systems such as Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS).
  • Lab source or synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD).
  • Magnetometry.
  • Scanning probe microscopy such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) or scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).
  • Photoemission spectroscopies:
    • X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS).
    • Angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES).
  • Neutron reflectometry.
• Contribute to user proposals to gain access to DOE-funded user facilities.
• Proven record of disseminate of scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• Work in the fast paced and highly collaborative environment at ORNL to maintain a high level of scientific productivity.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in condensed matter physics, materials science, or a closely related science discipline completed within the last 5 years
• A strong background in epitaxial thin film synthesis, ultrahigh vacuum techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy and photoemission, and cryogenic transport and magnetometry measurements

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• A strong record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at major conferences.
• Familiarity with numerical data analysis and customization of control software (Python, Labview, etc.).
• Experience with the use of PPMS, XRD, dilution refrigerator, SQUID, XPS, scanning probes, soft x-rays, and neutrons.

• Excellent written and oral communication sk