Posting TitlePostdoctoral Researcher – Pulsed Laser Deposition of Oxide Semiconductor 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 NREL

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.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

Experimental postdoc position is available in the NREL Materials Science Center, in the area of thin film synthesis and characterization of novel oxide semiconductors using Pulsed Laser Deposition. The position would involve experimental studies of novel oxide semiconductor materials in thin film form. The position would support several basic and applied collaborative projects on materials discovery and development, in the area of ultra wide band gap semiconductors for high-power and high-temperature electronic devices, with the focus on interface science and reliability.

Possible extensions of the work include thin films of oxide materials used as oxygen ion and proton conductors in high-temperature ceramic electrolyzers and fuel cells, photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical solar cell contact materials, solar thermochemical hydrogen generation, neuromorphic computing devices, and other energy applications. This research would involve high throughput experimental methods including combinatorial deposition, spatially-resolved characterization, and automated data analysis. The job duties would also include setting up new and maintaining existing experimental equipment, and improving/creating data collection and analysis software.

The initial appointment is for 1 year with possible extension of up to 3 years total providing mutual satisfaction and availability of funds. Note: We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply, even if they don't meet 100% of the position requirements. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the credentials, skills, and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

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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

Basic Qualifications

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

PhD in Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering or related fields.

Additional Required Qualifications:

Candidates should have at least several of the following:

-prior hands-on experience in using thin film physical vapor deposition methods such as pulsed laser deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, or sputtering for semiconductors

-prior background in thin film semiconductor research, including band theory, materials synthesis, property measurements, device fabrication and characterization

-In-depth knowledge on one or several materials characterization methods, such as diffraction, spectroscopy, microscopy, semiconductor property measurements

-Established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publishing, and communication.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior experience (e.g., intern) in an industrial or research laboratory R&D setting, design of experiments, and related methods.

- Proven ability to maintain complex synthesis and characterization equipment, in particular high vacuum deposition instruments

- Prior experience with high-throughput experimental (combinatorial) or autonomous research methods and techniques, equipment automation

- Active computer skills in programing (e.g. LabView, C/Igor Pro, Python, Matlab, etc.), statistical data analysis, and/or software development

- 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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Equal Opportunity 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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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