Postdoctoral Researcher - Silicon Crystal Growth

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 77,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Pension benefits

403(b) Plan with employer match

Life and AD&D insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in Golden, Colorado, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Silicon Crystal Growth. The role focuses on a hybrid float-zone and silane CVD approach to grow single-crystal boules and to develop a new deposition system guided by CFD modeling.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related fields, with experience in crystal growth, vacuum systems, and CAD/design.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical or Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in growth, characterization, and/or processing of materials, and/or growth of crystals; bulk or epitaxial growth valued.
• Skills in metal machining, CAD drawing, system/parts design and vacuum build/operation.
• Strong ability to interpret experimental results and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Develop a new silicon boule float-zone system incorporating silane CVD.
• Design, build, and test the crystal growth system with vacuum hardware.
• Characterize grown material for purity and defects; present data biweekly.
• Collaborate with CFD, technoeconomic, and lifecycle teams; support safety culture.

Skills

Vacuum systems

CAD drawing

Metal machining

System design

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Education

PhD in Physics

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Materials Science

PhD in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Vacuum hardware

Job description

Posting Title Postdoctoral Researcher - Silicon Crystal Growth . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Postdoc (Fixed Term) . Hours Per Week 40 . Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

This Postdoctoral Researcher position is within the High Efficiency Crystalline Photovoltaics group within the Materials Science Center at NLR. The group is made up of two teams that work on Silicon and III-V materials, the latter by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. The position focuses on developing a new way to grow silicon boules using a combined float-zone technique with chemical vapor deposition. The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to the designing and building of a new deposition system based on CFD modeling and use the system to grow single crystal boules of silicon from a silane gas source. This position will perform extensive characterization and analysis of the resulting materials. Primary duties involve the development of a new silicon boule float-zone system that incorporates silane chemical vapor deposition. The work will involve designing, building, and testing the crystal growth system involving vacuum hardware and chemical vapor deposition of silane gas. Duties also include characterization of the grown material for chemical purity and crystalline defects. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be expected to present data on the project at biweekly team meetings and to project sponsors. Journal publications are expected from this work. This position is expected to work closely with a computational fluid dynamic modeling team to optimize the design of the system as well as to work closely with a technoeconomic and lifecycle team to provide needed input to their models. NLR has a strong safety culture and the candidate is expected to adhere to and promote this culture. In addition, teamwork and collaboration define the modern scientific approach, and the Postdoctoral Researcher will be expected to collaborate, be open to new ideas, and recognize the contribution of others. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be expected to support a work environment that maximizes the unique talents and innovative ideas of every employee.

Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical or Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Experience in the growth, characterization, and/or processing of materials, and/or experience with bulk crystal growth, epitaxial growth, or growth of polycrystalline/amorphous thin films. Additional skills in metal machining, CAD drawing, system and parts design, and vacuum build and operation experience are valued. Qualified candidates must demonstrate skill in interpreting and assessing the experimental results of their own work and that of others and demonstrate a record of success from graduate and/or post-graduate work in this area. Good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are essential for success in this role. A self-starting attitude and initiative are highly valued.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated skills and experience in the growth, characterization, and/or processing of silicon materials. Experience in mechanical design and building of vacuum chambers. Experience in silicon growth using silane gas. Familiarity with computational fluid dynamic, thermodynamic, or kinetic modeling. Strong publication record.

Annual Salary Range

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400 NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• short-term disability insurance*
• pension benefits*
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*
• life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
• paid holidays

* Based on eligibility rules

Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer