Postdoctoral Researcher – Ultra-wide Bandgap Power Electronic Device Fabrication

Postdoctoral Researcher – Ultra-wide Bandgap Power Electronic Device Fabrication

Location:

CO - Golden

Position Type:
Postdoc (Fixed Term)

Hours per Week: 40

A postdoc position is available in the Materials, Chemical, and Computational Sciences Directorate focusing on ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) power electronic device fabrication. The role involves TCAD design of device structures for high breakdown voltage and forward current, as well as the fabrication of gallium oxide (Ga2O3), aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN), and other UWBG semiconductors in a clean‑room setting. Responsibilities include device design, epitaxial material synthesis, device fabrication, and device characterization.

The position is a 3‑year term, renewable annually based on performance.

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

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

• Demonstrated prior hands‑on experience in fabrication, characterization, and design of semiconductor devices in a cleanroom environment.
• Track record in wide band gap semiconductor applications such as power electronics, light emitting diodes, RF transistors, photodetectors, etc.

• Prior experience using physics‑based software packages (such as TCAD) to design semiconductor devices.
• Experience with epitaxial growth of ultra‑wide bandgap semiconductors, such as molecular beam epitaxy or metal‑organic chemical vapor deposition.
• Experience with gallium oxide or aluminum gallium nitride materials and power devices, and their dielectric passivation and electric field management.
• Awareness of semiconductor device physics such as figures of merit, defects and dopants, chemical compatibility, band offsets.
• In‑depth knowledge of materials characterization methods, such as diffraction, spectroscopy, microscopy, material property measurements.
• Prior examples of stewardship (installation, maintenance, repair, etc.) of complex laboratory equipment, including physical vapor deposition systems.
• Active computer skills in programming (e.g., Lab View, C/Igor Pro, Python, Matlab, etc.), statistical data analysis, and/or software development.
• Strong self‑motivation, multitasking capability, time‑management skills, and track record in scientific communication, mentorship experience with undergraduate or graduate students.
• Prior experience (e.g., intern) in an industrial or national laboratory R&D setting.

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

• 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.
• Employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance‑, merit‑, and achievement‑based awards that include a monetary component.
• Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

NLR is subject to DOE access restrictions. All employees must 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.

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug‑Free Workplace Act. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. Applicants must pass a pre‑employment drug test prior to commencing employment. If you test positive, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available upon request. E‑Verify is used in hiring practices to ensure a lawful workforce. Visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify for more information.