Postdoctoral Researcher – Development of Thin Film Nitride Materials

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado and is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions.

About the role

An experimental postdoctoral research position is available in NLR’s Materials Discovery and Development group. The position is focused on thin film synthesis and characterization of nitride materials by physical vapor deposition (sputtering). The role supports collaborative basic science and applied development projects exploring emerging nitride thin films for applications including semiconductors, ultrawide bandgap semiconductors, piezo/ferroelectric materials, and radiation detectors.

Key projects include:

• NLR’s next-generation autonomous semiconductor development suite, part of the U.S. Department of Energy's METALLIC platform, which aims to accelerate the discovery of advanced thin film inorganic semiconductor materials to address critical U.S. supply chain challenges, with emphasis on semiconductor technologies involving Ga, Ge, Sc, and other critical elements.
• Design, development, and testing of novel ultrawide bandgap nitride materials for radiation detection and piezoelectric/ferroelectric devices.

The successful candidate will design and perform thin film synthesis and characterization experiments, collaborate with scientists and engineers at NLR and partner institutions, and disseminate results through conference presentations and scientific publications. Duties also include setting up and maintaining experimental equipment and improving data collection and analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop sputter deposition processes and characterization workflows using NLR’s autonomous semiconductor suite.
• Design and execute thin film synthesis and characterization experiments for nitride materials.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams at NLR and partner institutions.
• Disseminate research findings via publications and conference presentations.
• Maintain and troubleshoot vacuum-based synthesis and characterization equipment.
• Develop and improve data collection and analysis tools.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with vacuum-based synthesis of functional thin film materials, such as reactive sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, or molecular beam epitaxy.
• Experience with materials characterization methods, including x-ray diffraction/scattering, optoelectronic measurements (photoluminescence, Raman, transport), or electrical characterization (piezo- or ferroelectric characterization).
• Strong knowledge of inorganic thin films and semiconductor materials, particularly oxides, nitrides, wide bandgap semiconductors, dielectrics, piezoelectrics, or ferroelectrics.
• Established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publishing, and communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience maintaining complex synthesis and characterization instruments, particularly vacuum-based equipment.
• Experience with simple device fabrication in a cleanroom setting (photolithography, etching, electron beam evaporation).
• Familiarity with automated, autonomous, or high-throughput experimental (combinatorial) research methods.
• Proficiency in programming (Python, LabView, C/Igor Pro), statistical data analysis, or software development.
• Understanding of solid-state chemistry, crystallography, materials design principles, and structure-property relationships in inorganic materials.
• Strong motivation, ability to work collaboratively, and skill in balancing multiple tasks and deadlines.

Benefits

• 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.
• Eligibility for performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards with monetary components (based on role).
• Potential eligibility for relocation expense reimbursement.

Pay

Annual salary range: $76,600 - $126,400 (based on full-time 40 hours per week). NLR considers education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel, external market factors, and internal pay alignment when determining salary. Salary history will not be used in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. This is a fixed-term postdoctoral position.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, which includes a favorable background investigation. NLR is a drug-free workplace; pre-employment drug testing is required and includes screening for marijuana.