Postdoctoral Research Associate - Large Scale Synthesis and Transfer of 2D Materials

Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on developing uniform, reproducible, and controlled large-scale synthesis and transfer of 2D materials, primarily transition metal dichalcogenides and various forms of boron nitrides. Our team uses bottom-up synthesis techniques, including CVD, MOCVD, and PECVD, coupled with multiple characterization techniques to control the growth environment and material consistency across the wafer targeting applications in microelectronics and quantum information science. This position resides in the Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials (FHN) Group in the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), Physical Sciences Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As a postdoc, you will work with a research team at the CNMS primarily focused on wafer scale synthesis and transfer, emphasizing reproducible and uniform growth of 2D materials, managing 2D interface structure and contamination, and developing desired property engineering on a large scale. Growth methods include traditional approaches such as CVD, PECVD, and MOCVD. Developing novel roll-to-roll (R2R) 2D synthesis methods, including innovative precursor and energy delivery systems relying on novel precursor chemistries, growth regimes that yield uniform and consistent growth, and allowing reliable material doping schemes will be stressed. The envisioned development of novel transfer approaches includes investigating new 2D material handling techniques and employing innovative support matrices and processes that yield clean 2D interfaces and controls wrinkle formation. You will also work with the project team to set up and automate CVD systems and transfer stations with real-time adaptive control. The novel materials synthesized in this project will be collaboratively shared with various scientists and engineers, including electron microscopists, ultrafast spectroscopists, device fabrication experts, and quantum information scientists, to explore their functionalities across a broad spectrum of capabilities developed by ORNL.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. With a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people, ORNL’s decadal vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Lead new large-scale 2D material synthesis techniques stressing the development of novel R2R approaches and precursor chemistries.
• Advance synthesis workflows and recipes for growth methods available within the CNMS, such as CVD, MOCVD, PECVD, and PLD.
• Develop 2D materials transfer methods emphasizing novel 2D materials supporting matrices and techniques yielding clean and controlled 2D interface on a wafer scale.
• Work with various materials characterization groups and device fabrication staff at CNMS, assessing synthesized and transferred material uniformity across the wafer-scale samples.
• Write and publish high-impact journal papers, and present results at technical conferences, for sponsors, and other audiences.
• Interact and collaborate across ORNL, with researchers from universities, DOE national laboratories, user research centers and private industry.

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Engineering, or a related discipline completed within the last five years.
• Experience in developing unique experimental setups stressing 2D materials growth, their transfer, and characterization.
• Experience in experimental data acquisition and processing for materials’ assessment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in 2D materials synthesis, characterization, and transfer techniques focused on large-scale systems and processes.
• Record of publications/patents relevant to the position.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.

Special Requirements:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to Postdocrecruitment@Ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.