Professional Research Assistant

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 64,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental plans

Generous paid time off

Tuition assistance

ECO Pass for local transit

Job summary

A leading research institution in Boulder is seeking a Professional Research Assistant to develop measurement approaches for novel semiconductor materials. You will work on characterizing 2D materials, utilize advanced analytical techniques, and analyze data for innovative projects. The ideal candidate has a relevant bachelor's or master’s degree and experience with analytical measurement techniques. This full-time position offers competitive pay ranging from $64,000 to $125,000 annually, depending on credentials and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience with analytical materials measurement techniques preferred.
• Experience in transferring 2D materials onto substrates is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop electronic test structures for reliability testing.
• Develop protocols for testing 2D and WBG semiconductor materials.
• Utilize analytical measurement techniques to characterize materials.
• Analyze measurement data and present it clearly.
• Assist with programming and data analysis needs.

Skills

Analytical measurement techniques

Image processing

Data analysis

Programming

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physical Sciences or a related field

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physical Sciences or a related field

Job description

Professional Research Assistant

Requisition Number: 68281
Location: Boulder, Colorado
City: Boulder
State: Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full-Time
Posting Close Date: 14-Nov-2025
Date Posted: 03-Nov-2025

Job Summary

The goal of this position is to develop new measurement approaches for novel semiconductor materials, including 2D materials and wide bandgap (WBG) materials. In order to understand how such novel materials can be effectively integrated with reliable microelectronic devices, the associate will develop complementary measurement and modeling approaches. Specifically, approaches will be developed to characterize stacked 2D-material-based heterostructures and related devices. Measurement and modeling approaches will also be developed for nanoscale dielectric breakthrough characterization of WBG materials. The associate will characterize novel semiconductor materials (and devices that integrate those materials) by use of analytical characterization tools, including electron microscopy, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy with a single-frequency, near-field, scanning microwave impedance microscope (sMIM) and near-field broadband (2 GHz to 20 GHz) scanning probe metrology. The associate will subsequently develop data analysis and/or computational models to determine material properties, quantify charge distribution, and characterize defects in test structures. They will organize and present data analysis and system models in ways that are clear and useful to team members and project managers.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists. The particular group that needs a researcher is the Nanoscale Reliability Group under the Applied Chemicals and Materials Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Development of electronic test structures for reliability testing.
• Development of best practices for transfer of 2D materials from a variety of growth substrates.
• Develop protocols for testing of 2D and WBG semiconductor materials.
• Utilizing analytical measurement techniques (i.e. sMIM, Raman spectroscopy) and related methods to characterize 2D and WBG semiconductor materials on growth substrates.
• Promptly analyze measurement data and provide data in a presentation-ready format.
• Assist with automation, programming and data analysis needs for the project.

What We Can Offer

Candidate with Bachelor’s degree: The salary range for this full-time position is $64,000 – $86,000 annually. Candidate with Master’s degree: The salary range for this full-time position is $66,000 – $125,000 annually. Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.

Benefits

At the , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the program.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physical Sciences, or a related field.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physical Sciences or a related field.
• Experience in transferring 2D materials onto substrates preferred.
• Experience with analytical materials measurement techniques.
• Familiarity with image processing, data analysis and/or programming preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with real-time event data at scale.
• Familiarity with multiple scripting languages.
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Special Instructions: To apply, please submit the following materials

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference who will be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation immediately after you apply.

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until November 14, 2025.

Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Lisa Valencia

Posting Contact Email: [e-mail]

University of Colorado Boulder