Postdoctoral Fellow; PREP

PREP Research Associate – CHIPS Funded Project

Position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). The program supports collaboration between NIST researchers and academic institutions on projects of mutual interest. The role involves technical work supporting scientific research in strain measurement for semiconductor devices.

HR-EBSD/HR-TKD Strain Measurement for Semiconductor Devices (U.S. Citizen Preferred)

• Operate a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to collect EBSD data for high-resolution EBSD analysis.
• Analyze HR-EBSD data using commercial, open-source, and custom-developed software.
• Assess precision and accuracy of strain measurements using NIST reference materials and customized samples.
• Generate simulated EBSD patterns with commercial and open-source codes for comparison with experimental data and performance evaluation of new analysis tools.
• Operate an automated focused ion beam (FIB) instrument to create electron-transparent samples from semiconductor devices for strain measurements via TKD and 4D-STEM.
• Collaborate with the Strain Measurement for Semiconductor Devices and Packages team at NIST and with external stakeholders.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present findings at scientific conferences.

• Ph.D. in materials science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Hands‑on expertise operating scanning electron microscopes with EBSD detectors.
• Experience developing custom data analysis workflows, including image processing in programming environments such as Python, C++, Mathematica, Matlab, or similar.
• Understanding of mechanics of materials, including stress, strain, and deformation; knowledge of single‑crystal elasticity and crystalline defects that influence strain.
• Basic understanding of finite element analysis (FEA) for simulating the mechanical behavior of complex geometries such as transistors.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• U.S. citizen preferred.

Salary Range:
The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good-faith belief at the time of posting. Compensation may vary based on geographic location, skills, experience, and other factors.

Total Rewards:
Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package supporting health, life, career, and retirement benefits.

Participation in the CHIPS‑funded PREP opportunity requires signing a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA) before commencing work.

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. The university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Qualified individuals have access to all academic and employment programs, benefits, and activities based on merit without regard to irrelevant personal factors.