Postdoctoral Researcher: AI-Driven Thin-Film Synthesis

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University Park is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to advance autonomous thin-film synthesis via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and AI/ML workflows within the LATTICE project.

The role integrates experimental data with cloud-lab interfaces, supports AI-driven workflows, and collaborates with researchers across vendors, data science, and applied machine learning teams on campus.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with molecular beam epitaxy synthesis.
• Experience with chalcogenide, 2D, or III-V semiconductor materials is preferred.
• Programming experience in Python or AI/ML workflows is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ML-driven autonomous thin-film synthesis using MBE.
• Integrate experimental data and model outputs into the LATTICE ecosystem.
• Develop in situ feedback, control, and autonomous operation of deposition tools.
• Collaborate with vendors, AI researchers, data scientists, and cloud-lab users.

Skills

Hands-on research

Education

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering or Physics

Tools

Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE)

Python

AI/ML workflows

Job description

Penn State University Park is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to advance autonomous thin-film synthesis via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and AI/ML workflows within the LATTICE project.

The role integrates experimental data with cloud-lab interfaces, supports AI-driven workflows, and collaborates with researchers across vendors, data science, and applied machine learning teams on campus.