Postdoctoral Researcher: Further development and application of advanced sputtering techniques [...]

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Materials Discovery and Interfaces

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for 1 Postdoctoral Researcher: Further development and application of advanced sputtering techniques (HPPMS, in situ plasma diagnostics) for combinatorial materials research.

The chair of Materials Discovery and Interfaces at the Institute for Materials develops new multifunctional materials by using combinatorial sputtering methods (material libraries) and high-throughput characterization methods. For this purpose, unique experimental facilities are available: 8 combinatorial sputtering systems (inert, reactive, DC, RF, HPPMS, ...), in situ characterization methods (plasma diagnostics, e.g. OES), diverse high-throughput characterization methods (EDX, XPS, XRD, functional properties).

In order to strengthen the efficient international team of the chair, the position of a postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) is to be filled. We are looking for a sputtering expert to further develop and utilize the existing sputtering capabilities. The tasks include experimental work (development and use of optimized sputtering processes, synthesis of material libraries, high-throughput characterization), the processing of publicly funded projects and industrial projects as well as the supervision of students (Bachelor's and Master's theses).

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with outstanding knowledge in the field of sputtering technology who is willing to tackle new, exciting and promising topics in an interdisciplinary environment and who has the ambition to efficiently generate, publish and apply new scientific findings using the exceptional experimental facilities available. The future postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) is expected to work independently with high motivation, be able to work in teams in a goal-oriented manner, efficiently translate results into scientific publications, and possess very good scientific, technical, and communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English.

Your tasks:

• Combinatorial synthesis of thin film materials libraries using sputtering
• High-throughput characterization of the thin film materials libraries (EDX, XRD, ...)
• Implementing new advanced sputtering and characterization techniques (OES, AES, RHEED)
• Further development of combinatorial fabrication processes towards (semi-)autonomous coating processes

Your profile:

- Completed studies and doctorate in the field of materials science

- Extensive experience in the field of sputtering thin films

- Very good publication record in the field of sputtered thin films

- Experience in the field of thin film characterization, e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, SPM, ...

- Experience with HPPMS

- Experience with in situ characterization techniques such as optical emission spectroscopy (OES), quartz crystal monitor

- Willingness to work in a clean room

- Interest in the further development of sputter simulation processes

We offer:

Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence, Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr, A qualified on-boarding and induction process, Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team, Extensive training and professional development opportunities

Further information:

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade TVL-E13 TV-L.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.

Please send your complete and informative application documents (informative cover letter (letter of motivation), CV with certificates, complete list of publications, 3 most important publications) as one pdf document.

At the request of the applicant (m,f,x), the staff council may be involved in selection interviews.

Contact persons for further information:

Sigurd Thienhaus, Tel.: +49 234 32 29972

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2025-05-19. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 4522.