PhD in electron-enhanced ALD

Empa; Verwaltungsregion Oberland; In loco; CHF 60.000 - 70.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Empa's Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures in Thun invites a motivated candidate to join a Swiss National Science Foundation funded project on electrons as reaction partners in ALD. You will perform in situ mass measurements, ellipsometry and mass spectrometry to study e-ALD surface reactions with adsorbed metalorganic molecules.

The role includes implementing an electron gun, running e-ALD experiments, and analyzing data to publish results in high‑level journals.

Competenze

• Master degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or equivalent.
• English proficiency (oral and written) required.
• German or French knowledge is an advantage.
• Hands-on experience in vacuum technology, CVD and/or ALD desirable.

Mansioni

• Perform in situ mass measurements, ellipsometry and mass spectrometry on ALD experiments.
• Implement a dedicated electron gun and conduct e-ALD experiments.
• Collect and interpret in situ data to relate products to electron beam energy and dose.
• Ex situ characterization of thin film morphology and composition; publish results in peer‑reviewed journals.

Conoscenze

English proficiency

Vacuum technology

CVD/ALD experience

Team collaboration

Formazione

Master's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science

Descrizione del lavoro

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures is looking for a highly motivated candidate.

Your tasks

You will work on a Swiss National Science Foundation funded project investigating electrons as a reaction partner in atomic layer deposition (ALD) to explore new thin film materials. You will run in situ mass measurements, ellipsometry, and mass spectrometry to investigate the e-ALD surface reactions with adsorbed metalorganic molecules. You will implement a dedicated electron gun, run the e-ALD experiments, collect in situ measurement data and interpret results in terms of reaction products as function of electron beam energy and dose. Ex situ characterization tasks comprise thin film morphology and composition analysis. You are expected to publish your research output in high-level peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Your profile

You must hold a Master degree in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or similar. A high level of motivation to work in close collaboration with an international, multidisciplinary research team is essential. Hand-on experience in vacuum technology, CVD and/or ALD is highly desirable. Knowledge of English (oral and written) is required and knowledge of German or French would be an advantage.

Our offer

The Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures of Empa in Thun offers an ideal working environment, with state-of-the art equipment (cleanrooms, high level materials analysis facilities, ALD/MLD/PVD infrastructure, and computation). The city is situated in a beautiful area near the mountains in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The planned duration for receiving a PhD is four years. The enrolment will be at the EPFL doctoral programme EDMX. The tentative start date is beginning of 2027 or upon mutual agreement.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

Questions?

Dr. Ivo Utke

Group Leader Low Dimensional Materials

Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures

https://www.empa.ch/web/s206

Your future place of work

Empa

Feuerwerkerstrasse 39

3602

Thun

Empa as an employer

• Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities
• Creating added value for society
• International, multicultural working environment
• Freedom to create and develop
• Culture of inclusion and respect
• Excellent balance between different areas of life
• Multiple award-winning and certified employer
• Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.

Good to know

• Empa website
• Working in Switzerland
• Employment process
• Conditions of employment