Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004167)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a PREP Research Associate to support technical aspects of collaborative scientific studies at Johns Hopkins University. This role requires a PhD in experimental condensed matter physics and extensive experience in advanced nanofabrication techniques. Responsibilities include designing and fabricating nanostructures, conducting measurements with scanning probe microscopy, and presenting findings to various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cleanroom operations and nanofabrication of quantum devices, ensuring innovative research contributions.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience fabricating nanoscale patterns at complex oxide interfaces.
• Minimum three years of experience patterning ferroelectric materials using ultra‑low‑voltage electron‑beam lithography.
• Minimum five years in cleanroom nanofabrication of nanoelectronics and quantum devices.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate van der Waals heterostructure devices for studies.
• Conduct measurements using scanning probe microscopy techniques.
• Present findings at internal meetings and sometimes with external stakeholders.

Skills

Fabricating nanoscale patterns

Electrical transport measurements

Cleanroom nanofabrication

Operating scanning probe systems

Programming LabVIEW VIs

Education

PhD in experimental condensed matter physics

Job description

PREP Research Associate

Salary: $85,000 - $89,000

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Office of Research and Translation

Position Summary: This role is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). The PREP program brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds to conduct collaborative scientific studies. As a PREP research associate, you will support the technical aspects of these collaborations.

Research Title

Nanofabrication and Metrology Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate van der Waals heterostructure devices, including rhombohedral graphene and twisted graphene multilayers, for scanning probe microscopy studies.
• Fabricate superlattices in two‑dimensional materials via e‑beam lithography.
• Conduct measurements using scanning probe microscopy techniques.
• Present findings at internal meetings and at times with external stakeholders.
• Ensure all results, protocols, software, and documentation are archived or transmitted to the broader organization.

Qualifications

• PhD in experimental condensed matter physics.
• Minimum five years of experience fabricating nanoscale patterns at complex oxide interfaces using conductive atomic‑force microscopy (c‑AFM) and ultra‑low‑voltage electron‑beam lithography (ULV‑EBL).
• Minimum three years of experience patterning ferroelectric materials with ultra‑low‑voltage electron‑beam lithography.
• Minimum five years in cleanroom nanofabrication of nanoelectronics and quantum devices, including layout design, resist‑based lithography (both photolithography and e‑beam lithography), thin‑film deposition, and etching.
• Minimum three years of experience fabricating two‑dimensional layered material devices, such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures, and performing stacking and transfer.
• Minimum five years in electrical transport measurements at ultra‑low temperatures.
• Minimum five years in radio‑frequency (RF) measurements at ultra‑low temperatures.
• Minimum five years in maintenance and operation of a dilution refrigerator.
• Minimum five years handling cryogens, including liquid helium transfer.
• Experience operating a multi‑modal scanning probe system (STM, AFM, and transport measurements) at ultra‑low temperatures and in ultra‑high vacuum.
• Experience preparing atomically sharp probe tips for STM and AFM.
• Experience with ultra‑high vacuum (UHV) techniques, including assembly, pump types, in‑situ ion sputtering, and reflection high‑energy electron diffraction (RHEED).
• Experience in dilute atom evaporation in UHV for scanning probe experiments on isolated deposited atoms.
• Five years of research in complex oxide physics (e.g., LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ heterostructures) with at least three peer‑reviewed publications.
• Three years in research on 2D quantum materials, including graphene‑based heterostructures and related van der Waals materials.
• Research experience in superconducting materials and with scanning‑probe‑based superconducting Josephson junctions.
• Five years designing and programming LabVIEW VIs for electrical transport measurements and spectroscopic mapping on the Nanonis SPM platform.
• Five years designing and programming LabVIEW VIs for general instrument control and transport measurements.

Country & Citizenship

U.S. Citizen Preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Johns Hopkins University is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.