Research Associate in Electrical Engineering

Polytechnicpositions; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Bristol is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Electrical Engineering. The role focuses on research into ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials and devices, including advanced electrical characterization and device fabrication. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field with expertise in semiconductor processing and a good publication record. The position is full-time, with a fixed contract until March 2028.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in electrical characterization of wide and ultra-wide bandgap materials.
• Experience with semiconductor device processing techniques.
• Good publication record preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor device technology.
• Manage thermal characterization laboratory and advise junior members.
• Develop TCAD models to support device design.

Skills

Advanced electrical characterization

Semiconductor device processing

Co-supervision of PhD students

Education

Postgraduate (PhD) in Physics, Materials Science or Engineering

Tools

Photolithography

e-beam lithography

Silvaco Victory/ATLAS

ANSYS

Job description

Research Associate in Electrical Engineering

Bristol University

United Kingdom

Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability (CDTR)
University of Bristol

The role

Applications are invited for the role of Postdoctoral Researcher position at the Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability (CDTR), led by Professor Kuball. This role encompasses the advanced electrical characterization of wide and ultra‑wide bandgap semiconductor materials and devices, including GaN, Gallium Oxide, SiC and diamond (key enabling materials for power and RF electronics) and/or semiconductor device fabrication. Examples of interest include graded AlGaN/GaN channel and AlScN device technologies for RF applications, and vertical GaN devices for power applications. In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop and study unique device structures, and to access the extensive electrical device testing suite available in Bristol, in addition to thermal and electric field analysis of devices, and simulation tools (Silvaco Victory/ATLAS, ANSYS). You will also have access to a state‑of‑the‑art clean room and the opportunity to collaborate within our 35‑member team as well as with our industrial partners spanning the semiconductor supply chain.

The CDTR leads numerous UK and international strategic programmes on power and RF electronics, including the ESA programme S2CANT, the EPSRC programme grant ULTRAlGaN and the Innovation and Knowledge Centre REWIRE, focusing on GaN, Ga2O3, SiC and diamond power materials and devices, from their fundamental understanding and development, to the commercialization of device technology in part co‑designed with industry, a strategic investment of the UK funding agency UKRI in excess of £18M. This position also benefits from the Chair in Emerging Technologies awarded to Professor Kuball by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in 2020, and various US‑funded programmes the CDTR is partnered in.

What will you be doing?

You will conduct research to advance ultra‑wide bandgap semiconductor device technology and their understanding. Responsibilities include conducting research in the electrical characterization of wide and ultra‑wide bandgap materials and devices, processing of semiconductor devices in a clean room using advanced fabrication techniques and developing device simulation TCAD models to complement experiments and to support device design and to analyse device failure, breakdown and reliability.

You will also contribute to managing our thermal characterization laboratory, advise junior group members and support short‑term industrial contract.

You should apply if

Applicants should have postgraduate (PhD) experience in physics, Materials Science or Engineering, or be working towards one, or equivalent professional qualification/experience. Ideally with a good publication record. The position requires extensive expertise in advanced electrical characterization of wide and ultra‑wide bandgap materials and/or devices and/or semiconductor device processing, with photolithography/laser writer or e‑beam lithography being an essential requirement.

A willingness to work together with, and co‑supervise, PhD students of the CDTR will be necessary.

Additional information

Contract type: Open‑ended with fixed funding until 31/03/2028

Work pattern: Full‑Time, 35 hours per week

Grade: I/Pathway 2

School/Unit: School of Physics

Advert closing date: 23:59 UK time on 16/01/2026

Job title at the University of Bristol: Research Associate

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