Postdoctoral Researcher in III–V CQD Surface Chemistry and Ligand Engineering

Unist; Thuwal; On-site; SAR 168,728 - 243,719; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free housing

Annual travel allowance

Access to research facilities

Job summary

Unist in Saudi Arabia is seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher for a role focused on III–V colloidal quantum dots and infrared photodetectors. The position involves synthesizing CQDs and developing novel device architectures.

The successful candidate will employ advanced research techniques and contribute to a multidisciplinary team, facilitating high-impact publications and collaboration in a cutting-edge research environment.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in colloidal nanocrystal synthesis.
• Experience with ligand exchange and surface chemistry.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize III–V CQDs using air‑free colloidal methods.
• Design and optimize precursor chemistry for nanocrystals.
• Study band alignment between CQDs and charge‑transport layers.

Skills

Colloidal nanocrystal synthesis

Experience with ligand exchange

Surface passivation

Optoelectronic device physics

Education

PhD in chemistry, materials science, or related field

Tools

TEM

XPS

FTIR

Job description

Physical Science and Engineering Division

Organisation/Company KAUST Department Physical Science and Engineering Division Research Field Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 4 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Asia/Riyadh) Country Saudi Arabia Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 4 Jun 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The FuN lab has made significant advances in III–V colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) and extended-SWIR PbS materials for high-performance infrared photodetectors and imaging systems. We invite applications for two postdoctoral positions focused on next-generation SWIR and room‑temperature MWIR photodetectors based on III–V, Ag₂Te, and related CQDs.

The project aims to establish a materials-to-device platform using InAs‑, InSb‑, Ag₂Te‑, and extended-SWIR PbS/PbSe‑based CQDs, with emphasis on surface reconstruction, ligand engineering, precursor chemistry, energetic band alignment, low‑trap‑density CQD solids, and novel infrared photodetector architectures.

The first position focuses on CQD synthesis and surface chemistry, including solution‑phase ligand exchange and thin‑film engineering. The second position focuses on novel infrared photodetector architectures incorporating metasurfaces and optical‑field manipulation for high‑performance SWIR and exploratory room‑temperature MWIR detection.

Candidates should hold a PhD in chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering, applied physics, or a related field, with expertise in colloidal nanocrystal synthesis or optoelectronic device physics. Experience in III–V CQDs, infrared photodetectors, surface spectroscopy, thin‑film processing, or low‑noise optoelectronic measurements is highly desirable. The first position focuses on the chemical control of III–V CQD surfaces. The researcher will develop surface‑reconstructed, low‑trap‑density CQDs and ligand‑exchanged CQD inks for infrared photodetectors. The central goal is to understand and control how precursor reactivity, surface stoichiometry, ligand engineering, and electronic passivation determine charge transport, recombination, band alignment, and photodetector performance.

Key Objectives

• Establish surface reconstruction strategies for InAs, InSb, and SWIR/MWIR‑active CQDs to suppress trap states and improve electronic quality.
• Build ligand libraries for electronic passivation, controlled doping, and improved interdot coupling.
• Develop solution‑phase ligand exchange processes for stable III‑V CQD/nanorod inks.
• Control precursor reactivity, nucleation, growth, alloying, and shell formation.
• Determine energetic alignment between CQD films and charge‑transport layers.
• Correlate surface chemistry with optical, electronic, and photodetector properties.

The main/sub research field the offer involves:
Colloid synthesis of QDs; Surface Chemistry; Ligand Engineering; Photodetector device fabrication

• PhD in chemistry, materials science, nanoscience, or a related field.
• Strong experience in colloidal nanocrystal synthesis.
• Demonstrated expertise in air‑free synthesis and Schlenk/glovebox techniques.
• Experience with ligand exchange, surface passivation, or nanocrystal surface chemistry.
• Familiarity with optical and structural characterization of semiconductor nanocrystals.
• Strong publication record in nanomaterials, colloidal quantum dots, or optoelectronic materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Specific Requirements

• Synthesize III‑V CQDs using air‑free colloidal methods.
• Design and optimize precursor chemistry for InAs-, InSb-, Ag₂Te-, and PbSe/PbS-based nanocrystals.
• Perform surface reconstruction and ligand‑exchange studies.
• Develop solution‑processed CQD inks with controlled ligand density and colloidal stability.
• Characterize CQD surfaces using XPS, UPS, FTIR, NMR, TEM, XRD, absorption, PL, and time‑resolved PL.
• Fabricate CQD thin films and evaluate morphology, conductivity, trap density, and stability.
• Study band alignment between CQDs and charge‑transport layers.
• Work closely with the device‑focused postdoc to connect surface chemistry with detector performance.
• Prepare manuscripts, contribute to grant reports, and present results at scientific meetings.

Required Research Experience

• Direct experience with III‑V CQDs, especially InAs, InSb, or alloyed III‑V nanocrystals.
• Experience with solution‑phase ligand exchange.
• Knowledge of trap‑state analysis, surface reconstruction, and electronic passivation.
• Experience with XPS/UPS‑based surface and energy‑level analysis.
• Experience preparing CQD thin films for photodetectors, LEDs, or solar cells

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

• Free housing
• Annual travel allowance
• Access to cutting‑edge research facilities
• Opportunity to work on advanced infrared imaging technologies
• Collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment
• Opportunities for publishing in high‑impact journals and participating in international conferences
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art nanofabrication and characterization facilities at KAUST

Successful candidates are expected to:

• Work independently while contributing to a collaborative research program.
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and reproducible protocols.
• Develop mechanistic understanding beyond empirical optimization.
• Publish in high‑impact journals in materials chemistry, nanoscience, and optoelectronics.
• Mentor graduate students and contribute to a strong laboratory culture.
• Communicate results clearly in manuscripts, presentations, and group meetings.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Country Saudi Arabia Geofield