Posting TitlePostdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Materials

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypePostdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

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Job Description

A postdoc position is available in the Materials Science Center, in the area of Materials Discovery and Design of nitride materials using Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy. The position would involve synthesis and characterization of nitride materials for electronic applications using molecular beam epitaxy system with radio-frequency plasma sources. Particular emphasis will be placed on aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) growth.  The position would support both basic research and applied development. Possible device applications include radio-frequency transistors, power diodes, radiation detectors, 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 3 years total, reviewed and extended annually based on program needs, funding availability and performance.

MCCS Directorate

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Basic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

-Demonstrated experience operating a plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy tool

-Prior background in nitride materials research or other relevant materials systems

-Some experience with semiconductor materials or electronic devices

-Hands-on ability to maintain complex vacuum deposition equipment

-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 / Annual Salary Range: $74,900 - $123,600

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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