Senior Scientist

N5 Sensors, Inc.; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

N5 Sensors, Inc., a leader in environmental sensing technologies, seeks a Senior Surface Scientist to drive the development of our semiconductor-based chemical sensors. This role focuses on optimizing interaction mechanisms and enhancing sensor performance through rigorous scientific methods and practical application, offering competitive salary and growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Materials Science or related field preferred.
• 5-7 years of relevant R&D experience needed.
• Expertise in molecular adsorption mechanisms required.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of photocatalytic materials and surface chemistry.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize sensor performance.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on manufacturing transitions.

Skills

Molecular adsorption

Photo-catalytic reactions

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Surface chemistry

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science

Tools

XPS

SEM

AFM

Job description

Direct message the job poster from N5 Sensors, Inc.

N5 Sensors, Inc. is an innovative leader in designing and manufacturing complete solutions for environmental sensing. We specialize in cutting-edge SPH (Semiconductor Photocatalytic)chemical sensors – microscale chemical sensors that leverage the unique interactions of molecules with photocatalytic materials combined with semiconductor transducers. Our mission is to provide advanced chemical sensing technologies that improve safety, efficiency, and environmental awareness. We are a dynamic team committed to excellence and pushing the boundaries of chemical sensor technology.

The Opportunity:

N5 Sensors is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Senior Surface Scientist with a profound understanding of molecular adsorption and reaction mechanisms on photocatalytic surfaces to spearhead the translation of our advanced SPHchemical sensor research into robust, manufacturable products. This is a critical role where you will leverage your deep knowledge of how target analytes interact with metal oxide and metal surfaces under photocatalytic conditions to take ownership of the materials science and surface chemistry aspects of our chemical sensor development pipeline. Your focus will be on rigor, manufacturability, and reliability, designing experiments that probe and optimize these fundamental interactions to enhance chemical sensor performance.

If you are a hands-on scientist with expert-level knowledge in how molecules can be sensed using photocatalytic materials coupled with semiconductor transducers, passionate about seeing your innovations make a real-world impact, and thrive in an environment that values scientific rigor and practical application, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead R&D and Productization:Drive the development and optimization of SPHchemical sensormaterials and surface chemistries, leveraging a fundamental understanding of molecular adsorption phenomena and photocatalytic reaction pathways on metal oxide and metal surfaces.
• Experimental Design&Execution:Design, conduct, and meticulously document experiments (DOE) focusing on novel material formulations, thin-film deposition, and surface treatments. Systematically investigate how different molecules adsorb and react on photocatalytic materials to enhancechemical sensorperformance (sensitivity, selectivity, stability, lifetime).
• Data Analysis&Interpretation:Perform rigorous collection, analysis, and statistical interpretation of experimental data, specifically correlating observedchemical sensorresponses to underlying surface chemical processes and molecular interactions.
• Manufacturing Transition:Develop and refine scalable fabrication processes forchemical sensormaterials and device components, ensuring that the critical surface properties driving the sensing mechanism are preserved and controlled in manufacturing. Work closely with process engineers to transfer technology and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges forchemical sensors.
• Reliability&Manufacturability Focus:Champion Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Reliability (DFR) principles for ourchemical sensors, considering the impact of manufacturing variations on surface chemistry and molecular interactions. Investigatechemical sensorfailure modes, identify root causes related to surface degradation or contamination, and implement corrective actions.
• Material&Surface Characterization:Utilize and potentially develop advanced surface characterization techniques (e.g., XPS, SEM, AFM, TPD, contact angle, ellipsometry, etc.) to probe molecular adsorption, surface reactions, and understand their impact onchemical sensorperformance.
• Process Development&Optimization:Establish robust and repeatable processes for material synthesis, deposition, and surface modification suitable for microscalechemical sensorfabrication, with a focus on controlling the critical surface functionalities.
• Documentation&Reporting:Maintain detailed records of experiments, procedures, and results. Prepare technical reports, presentations, and manufacturing documentation related tochemical sensordevelopment and the underlying sensing mechanisms.
• Collaboration&Leadership:Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. Provide technical guidance and mentorship based on your deep understanding of photocatalytic sensing mechanisms.
• Stay Current:Keep abreast of the latest advancements in surface science, photocatalysis, materials science, semiconductor device physics, andchemical sensortechnology, particularly regarding molecular interactions with sensing surfaces.

Qualifications:

• Education:Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field with a doctoral thesis or significant post-doctoral research focused on surface science, photocatalysis, gas-surface interactions, or molecular adsorption on semiconductor/metal oxide materials.
• Experience:
• Minimum 5-7+ years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in R&D, with a proven track record of translating laboratory research forchemical sensors(ideally involving photocatalytic or semiconductor-based sensing) into tangible products or scalable manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with surface modification techniques, thin-film deposition, and advanced material/surface characterization techniques specifically applied to understanding molecular adsorption and reactions on surfaces.
• Strong experience in designing and executing experiments that elucidate structure-property-performance relationships inchemical sensormaterials, particularly those involving photocatalytic activity and semiconductor transduction.
• Experience with microfabrication techniques and working in cleanroom environments is highly desirable forchemical sensormanufacturing.
• Skills:
• Deep, fundamental understanding of how different molecules adsorb on photocatalytic materials, and their subsequent reaction mechanisms with metal oxide and metal surfaces, especially as they relate to generating a measurable signal via a semiconductor transducer.
• Expertise in surface chemistry, material interactions at interfaces, and degradation mechanisms relevant tochemical sensorperformance and reliability under photocatalytic conditions.
• Proficiency in data analysis software and statistical methods, with the ability to correlate complex datasets to molecular-level phenomena.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a methodical and rigorous approach to scientific investigation.
• Proven ability to bridge the gap between fundamental understanding ofchemical sensormechanisms and practical product development/manufacturing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex scientific concepts related to photocatalyticchemical sensing.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality inchemical sensordevelopment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with SPHchemical sensortechnology or similar photocatalyticchemical sensorsystems.
• Experience in modeling or simulating molecular adsorption and surface reactions.
• Experience in process scale-up and technology transfer to manufacturing forchemical sensorswhere surface chemistry is critical.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001, Six Sigma).
• Experience withchemical sensortesting protocols, calibration, and environmental chambers.

Why Join N5 Sensors?

• Play a pivotal role in advancing the fundamental science and practical application of next-generation environmentalchemical sensingsolutions.
• Work with a passionate and innovative team in a fast-paced environment focused on cutting-edgechemical sensortechnology.
• See your deep scientific understanding directly impactchemical sensorproduct development and real-world applications.
• Competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth.

To Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their specific expertise in molecular interactions on photocatalytic surfaces, their experience withchemical sensor development, and how they meet the qualifications for this role to [Insert Application Email or Link to ATS]. Please include "Senior Surface Scientist - Photocatalytic Chemical Sensor Application" in the subject line.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Climate Data and Analytics

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