Postdoctoral Scholar – Ferroelectric Materials and MEMS

About the role

The Materials Research Institute (MRI) at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct interdisciplinary research on functional dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric materials for emerging memory and sensing applications. The Postdoctoral Scholar will work collaboratively with Prof. Betul Akkopru-Akgun and Prof. Susan Trolier-McKinstry, contributing approximately equally to research activities in both groups.

Under the direction of Prof. Betul Akkopru-Akgun, the Postdoctoral Scholar will investigate fluorite-type and wurtzite ferroelectrics for next-generation memory applications, focusing on the relationships between defect chemistry, intermediate switching states, polarization switching, fatigue, and retention.

In collaboration with Prof. Trolier-McKinstry, the scholar will work on fabrication of thin film and bulk single crystal microelectromechanical systems for multimodal sensing systems. This will include design, fabrication, and testing of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of functional materials, ferroelectrics, electrical characterization, microfabrication, and MEMS-based sensing, and will collaborate with researchers across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Investigate fluorite-type and wurtzite ferroelectrics for next-generation memory applications, focusing on defect chemistry, intermediate switching states, polarization switching, fatigue, and retention.
• Fabricate thin film and bulk single crystal microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for multimodal sensing systems.
• Design, fabricate, and test MEMS devices.
• Conduct electrical characterization of dielectric, piezoelectric, or ferroelectric materials using techniques such as polarization–electric field (P–E) measurements, dielectric spectroscopy, leakage-current measurements, impedance spectroscopy, or related methods.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience with electrical characterization of dielectric, piezoelectric, or ferroelectric materials.
• Experience with techniques such as polarization–electric field (P–E) measurements, dielectric spectroscopy, leakage-current measurements, impedance spectroscopy, or related electrical characterization methods.
• Strong experimental skills and experience with data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with thin-film deposition and characterization.
• Experience with MEMS design, fabrication, or testing.
• Experience with microfabrication techniques, including lithography, etching, metallization, or related processes.
• Experience with piezoelectric or ferroelectric devices for sensing, actuation, or memory applications.
• Familiarity with bulk single-crystal materials and/or single-crystal MEMS.
• Experience with device modeling or simulation.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)