Post Doctoral Industrial Scientist

Asylum Research; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health insurance

401(k) program

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Professional development support

Job summary

Asylum Research in Santa Barbara, CA is looking for a Post Doctoral Industrial Scientist to innovate in Atomic Force Microscopy applications. You will engage with engineering and product management teams to develop solutions that meet customer needs.

This position requires a Ph.D. in a related field and strong experience in AFM techniques. The salary for this position is expected to range from $75,000 to $90,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with AFM or related nanoscale characterization techniques.
• Experience in electrical measurements and energy materials.
• Strong attention to detail and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of new AFM applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate new capabilities.
• Support sales efforts through technical presentations.

Skills

AFM expertise

Electrical measurements

High-level programming (Python, IGOR, MATLAB)

Experimental design

Problem-solving

Education

Ph.D. in Physics or related field

Job description

Business Unit

Oxford Instruments AFM

Location

Santa Barbara, CA (hybrid)

Job Title

Post Doctoral Industrial Scientist

Reports to

R&D Management

About the Opportunity

The Post Doctoral Industrial Scientist will drive the development of innovative Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) applications. In this role, you will translate customer needs into practical measurement solutions, working across a wide range of scientific and industrial fields. You will collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and commercial teams to develop, validate, and launch new AFM capabilities that deliver real value to customers.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new AFM applications, with a strong focus on electrical measurements and emerging technologies.
• Apply AFM expertise across diverse areas such as:
  • Nanomechanics
  • Electronics and semiconductors
  • Batteries and photovoltaics
  • Chemical and correlative imaging
  • Measurement automation
• Understand customer workflows, challenges, and goals through direct engagement and literature review.
• Translate customer needs into clear technical requirements and measurement approaches.
• Drive innovation by developing new methodologies and generating intellectual property.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Serve as the technical lead for application development projects.
• Design, perform, and analyze experiments to develop new measurement techniques.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and software developers to build and refine solutions.
• Develop test protocols and validation methods to ensure solutions are reliable and scalable.
• Create demonstration samples, workflows, and materials to showcase new capabilities internally and externally.
• Support sales efforts through customer demonstrations and technical presentations.
• Train sales and applications teams on AFM systems and new capabilities.
• Present new developments at conferences, trade shows, and customer meetings.

Core Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of strong hands‑on experience with AFM or related nanoscale characterization techniques.
• Experience in one or more relevant application areas (e.g., electrical measurements, semiconductors, energy materials, etc.).
• Extensive skill in high‑level language programming such as Python, IGOR, or MATLAB.
• Proven ability to design experiments and translate concepts into practical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving abilities with a creative, solutions‑oriented mindset.

Salary

In accordance with California law, the expected salary for this full‑time, benefited position is between $75,000 – $90,000. The actual compensation will be determined considering relevant skills, experience, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Generous benefit packages – competitive health insurance (medical, dental, vision).
• 401(k) program with pre‑ and post‑tax options.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – employees start with 4 weeks of PTO, accrued each pay period.
• 12 holidays.
• Generous paid family leave policy.
• Professional development support – $5,250 annual tuition reimbursement after 6 months of service.

Equal Opportunity

Oxford Instruments is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Oxford Instruments is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

E-Verify

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the I-9 Form.