Research Associate in Thin Film Transistor Devices

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking an experienced Research Associate in Thin Film Transistor Devices. This full-time role involves developing electronic devices utilizing thin film technologies and conducting extensive characterisation of materials. The successful candidate will have a PhD in Electronics or related fields and robust experience in fabrication and testing of TFTs. Join a vibrant team dedicated to innovating energy-efficient hardware solutions for AI applications and contribute to a collaborative environment focused on advanced nanotechnologies.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Defined benefits pension scheme

Family-friendly initiatives

Flexible work options

Qualifications

• Strong background in semiconductor devices and thin films.
• Experience in independent cleanroom work.
• Knowledge of common testing procedures for electronic devices.

Responsibilities

• Develop electronic devices based on thin film technologies.
• Design device architectures and material stacks.
• Conduct analytical and morphological characterisation of films.

Skills

PhD in Electronics, Physics, Materials Science or similar

Proven track record in fabrication and testing of TFTs

Experience with cleanroom fabrication processes

Knowledge of electrical characterisation techniques

Physical layout tooling experience

Education

PhD in Electronics, Physics or Materials Science

Tools

Cleanroom fabrication tools

XPS

SEM

AFM

Job description

Grade UE07: £41,064-£48,822 per annum

School of Engineering, College of Science & Engineering

Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems (IMNS)

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: contract up to 24 months

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Research Associate in Thin Film Transistor Devices. The position will be based at the King’s Buildings Campus and will commence as soon as possible.

Our ambition is to push the frontiers of electronics through emerging nanotechnologies, disrupting current ways of thinking by innovating advanced energy-efficient Hardware solutions for AI and the new age of electronics. To realise this vision, we are seeking exceptional candidates to join our team, interested in devoting their passion for addressing some of the challenges we have identified.

This post will involve the development of electronic devices based on thin film technologies for novel memory-in-computing and emerging memory applications. These include designing device architectures and material stacks with standard cleanroom processes (lithography, magnetron sputtering, ALD, etc), analytical and morphological characterisation of developed films (such as XPS, SEM and AFM) as well as electrical characterisation of fabricated devices.

This position is affiliated with the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies held by Regius Chair of Engineering Prof Prodromakis, Director of the Centre for Electronics Frontiers. The appointee will support the delivery of the vision of this 10-year programme that aspires to develop AI Hardware solutions for Lifelong Learning applications.

Your skills and attributes for success

• A PhD in Electronics, Physics, Materials Science or similar discipline, with a focus in semiconductor devices and/or thin films
• Proven track record of research or industrial experience in fabrication and testing of TFTs and thin film devices as well as materials involved in thin film fabrication.
• Demonstrated experience with cleanroom fabrication processes. Key processes include lithography, magnetron sputtering and ALD. The candidate is expected to be able to work independently in a cleanroom environment.
• Knowledge of electrical characterisation techniques, mostly on the DC domain including common testing procedures for memories, transistors and similar devices.
• Experience with physical layout tooling.

Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

A valued member of our team, you can expect

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 16th January 2026. Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser's local time zone.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.