Postdoctoral Research Associate - 2D Materials & Devices

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Upton (NY); On-site; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory is seeking a talented Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate 2D material heterostructures for steep-slope transistors in a DOE MSRC project. You will work under the Electronic Nanomaterials Group to explore materials, devices, and interfaces using CFN facilities, including QPress and Nanofabrication.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, low-temperature measurements, and novel device architectures, with a 2-year assignment and strong collaboration

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering).
• Demonstrated experimental expertise in 2D heterostructure device fabrication and electrical characterization, including 2D material exfoliation/transfer and low-temperature measurements.
• Experience in nanofabrication processes (e-beam lithography, PVD, ALD) and electrical device data analysis; strong communication via publications/presentations.
• Commitment to creative, independent research, teamwork, and safe, ethical practice.
• Commitment to an inclusive and respectful workplace.

Responsibilities

• Develop, fabricate, and characterize 2D heterostructures for steep-slope devices.
• Perform in-depth materials characterization and electrical testing of 2D devices as a function of temperature.
• Explore new materials, device structures, and patterns to improve device performance.
• Integrate 2D-3D and 2D-membrane heterostructures using external MSRC materials.
• Collaborate with staff from materials science, nanofabrication, and device physics groups.
• Disseminate research findings via papers and external talks.

Skills

2D materials

Electrical characterization

Nanofabrication

Scientific communication

Inclusive workplace

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, EE or related field

Tools

Electron-beam lithography

Physical Vapor Deposition

Atomic Layer Deposition

Cryostat operation

Job description

Organization Overview

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven is a DOE-funded national scientific user facility, offering users a supported research experience with top-caliber scientists and access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The CFN mission is advancing nanoscience through frontier fundamental research and technique development and is the nexus of a broad collaboration network. Each year, CFN staff members support the research of nearly 600 external facility users.

Three strategic nanoscience themes underline the CFN scientific facilities: The CFN conducts research on nanomaterial synthesis by assembly designing precise architectures with targeted functionality by organizing nanoscale components. The CFN researches and applies platforms for state-of-the-art techniques for Accelerated Nanomaterial Discovery, integrating synthesis, advanced characterization, physical modeling, and computer science to iteratively explore a wide range of material parameters. The CFN develops and utilizes advanced capabilities for studies of Nanomaterials in Operando Conditions for characterizing materials and reactions at the atomic scale in real-world environments.

Position Description

The CFN is seeking a talented Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct novel research investigating 2D material heterostructures for developing steep-slope transistors for energy-efficient microelectronics applications as a part of a DOE Microelectronics Science and Research Center (MSRC) project. You will explore the materials and device physics of 2D materials and associated heterostructures, such as those based on 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and perform nanofabrication and electrical characterization of 2D heterostructure devices using CFN's state-of-the-art Facilities, such as Quantum Materials Press (QPress) and Nanofabrication Facilities, to unravel the influences of atomic defects in 2D materials on the steep-slope device characteristics and performance. This project also aims to investigate the integration of 2D-3D and 2D-membrane semiconductor heterostructures utilizing the materials provided by other external MSRC project team members. You will work under the supervision of Dr. Chang-Yong Nam (Electronic Nanomaterials Group).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• You will develop, fabricate, and characterize 2D heterostructures applicable to steep-slope electrical devices based on state-of-the-art 2D materials such as 2D TMDCs and graphene.
• You will perform in-depth materials characterization on 2D materials, and electrically characterize the fabricated 2D devices, especially their transistor characteristics, as a function of temperature and the materials characteristics.
• You will explore new materials, device structure & physics, and patterning methods for improving the performance of 2D steep-slope devices.
• You will perform integration and nanofabrication of 2D-3D and 2D-membrane semiconductor heterostructures using the materials provided by the external MSRC project members.
• You will collaborate with scientific staff with diverse backgrounds including materials science, nanofabrication, and device fabrication and physics.
• You will disseminate research findings via paper publications and external presentations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• You have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline), conferred within the past five years or to be completed prior to the starting date.
• You have demonstrated experimental expertise in 2D material heterostructure device fabrication and electrical characterization under various temperatures, including 2D materials mechanical exfoliation/transfer and low-temperature measurements using a cryostat, as well as associated materials and device physics.
• You have demonstrated experimental experience in nanofabrication processes (e.g., electron-beam lithography, physical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition etc.) and electrical device data analysis including transistor characteristics. You communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations/proceedings.
• You are committed to creative and independent research, teamwork, and fostering an environment of safe scientific work practices.
• You are committed to cultivating an inclusive and respectful workplace environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• You have hands-on experimental experience with 2D materials and heterostructure fabrication utilizing manual and/or automated 2D materials transfer and stacking systems.
• You have hands-on experience in fabricating and electrically characterizing 2D materials devices beyond transistors and basic electrical measurements, such as memristors for neuromorphic computing applications and pulse-based electrical measurements.
• You have experience in optimizing 2D materials device performance via engineering materials and device physics, including contact engineering.
• You have experience or working knowledge of the synthesis of 2D materials and membrane semiconductors via remote epitaxy.
• You have experience in materials characterization and analysis relevant for 2D materials, including but not limited to photoluminescence, Raman scattering, scanning probe microscopy, ultrafast optical spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
• You communicate effectively, both verbally and through technical writing.
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.

Additional Information

• This is a 2-year Postdoc Assignment.
• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life-changing events.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71900 - $82400 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

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Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation's future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

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