Postdoctoral Associate in Diamond Growth for Quantum Networking

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; Town of Ithaca, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to establish single-crystal diamond CVD growth as a new capability at CNF. The role focuses on developing homoepitaxial diamond growth using a plasma-enhanced CVD reactor and integrating with diamond color centers for quantum networking.

The successful candidate will perform growth optimization, material characterization, and documentation, mentor students, and collaborate with CNF staff and other postdocs.

Qualifications

• PhD in materials science and engineering, physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, or a related field by the start date.
• Hands-on research experience with crystal or thin-film growth (CVD/PECVD/MOCVD/MBE) and operating relevant process equipment.
• Experience characterizing crystalline materials and developing or optimizing experimental processes.
• Strong documentation, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to work safely in a shared research facility.

Responsibilities

• Develop homoepitaxial diamond growth processes with low background nitrogen and controlled incorporation.
• Systematically optimize substrate preparation, sample mounting and thermal contact, gas purity, and growth temperature.
• Characterize grown material using X-ray diffraction, microscopy, and SIMS; relate growth to NV centers.
• Document processes and transfer reproducible recipes to CNF staff; coordinate with fabrication and integration efforts.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and communicate findings through publications and presentations.

Skills

Crystal growth

Thin-film growth

CVD

PECVD

MOCVD

MBE

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

PhD in materials science and engineering / physics / applied physics / electrical engineering / chemistry

Tools

Plasma-enhanced CVD reactor

X-ray diffraction

Secondary ion mass spectrometry

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate in Diamond Growth for Quantum Networking

This position offers the opportunity for a recent PhD in materials science, applied physics, physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, or a related field to establish single-crystal diamond chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth as a new capability at Cornell University. Diamond color centers, including the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) and group IV vacancy centers, are the leading qubit platform for quantum repeater nodes, and the quality and purity of the host diamond set the limit on their spin coherence and optical properties. The Postdoctoral Associate (Postdoc) will lead the development of growth processes on a newly installed plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD) diamond reactor in the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF).

Responsibilities Include

• Develop homoepitaxial diamond growth processes with low background nitrogen concentration and controlled nitrogen incorporation, including nitrogen δ-doped layers.
• Systematically optimize substrate preparation, sample mounting and thermal contact, gas purity, growth temperature, and related process conditions.
• Characterize grown material using techniques such as x-ray diffraction, phase-contrast microscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry, and relate growth conditions to nitrogen-vacancy center spin coherence.
• Document processes and transfer reproducible recipes to CNF staff; coordinate with the project’s fabrication and integration efforts.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and communicate research findings through publications and presentations.

The Postdoc will hold their appointment in the School of Applied and Engineering Physics and will be advised jointly by Professor Darrell Schlom (Materials Science and Engineering) and Professor Gregory Fuchs (Applied and Engineering Physics), working day to day with CNF technical staff as well as with a second postdoctoral associate on diamond fabrication.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in materials science and engineering, physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, or a related field by the start date.
• Hands-on research experience with crystal or thin-film growth, such as CVD, PECVD, MOCVD, MBE, or a comparable technique, and experience working with relevant process equipment.
• Experience characterizing crystalline materials and systematically developing or optimizing experimental processes.
• Strong documentation, communication, and collaboration skills, including the ability to work safely in a shared research facility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with diamond CVD or other wide- or ultra-wide-bandgap materials; epitaxy; substrate preparation; or polishing.
• Familiarity with diamond or silicon-carbide color centers, spin measurements, or relevant optical characterization.
• Cleanroom fabrication, membrane transfer, bonding, or heterogeneous integration experience.
• Experience documenting processes or training users in a shared facility, and interest in hands‑on quantum engineering education.

This is a one-year postdoctoral appointment with the expectation of reappointment for a second year, and the possibility of further extension contingent upon funding and successful performance. The selected candidate will be appointed annually, as per Cornell’s academic appointment policy. The starting salary range is $63,480 - $68,480, depending on experience; the lower end of this range is the NIH postdoctoral minimum for fiscal year 2026. The position includes a comprehensive benefit package and support for conference travel. We seek a candidate who can start as soon as possible.

Visa sponsorship is available.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice [phone], or email at [e-mail] .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [e-mail] .

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

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Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far‑flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.