Requisition Id 15338
Overview:
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead the fabrication and integration of cutting-edge quantum photonic architectures, with a focus on merging advanced materials into on-chip photonic platforms to harness quantum effects through monolithic fabrication and design. This position resides in the Nanofabrication Research Laboratory, Nanomaterials Synthesis and Nanofabrication Section of the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) in the Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
As part of our research team, you will collaborate with leading experts in quantum photonics, theory, and nanofabrication across ORNL. Your role will involve developing innovative fabrication methods to create monolithic photonic circuits, as well as extensively characterizing these systems. The CNMS is equipped with a unique state-of-the-art nanofabrication facility, which has recently undergone several instrumental upgrades suited to meet evolving nanofabrication challenges including atomic layer deposition, electron beam lithography, and direct-write plasma focused ion beam instrumentation. In addition, new physical and chemical vapor deposition systems are being installed, which will enable new film deposition and growth strategies critical to the success of this work. As part of your responsibilities, you will identify fundamental structure-property relationships by systematically analyzing how specific synthesis and fabrication strategies impact key photonic properties, such as propagation loss, entanglement efficiencies, and other optical characteristics.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
- Assist in process and workflow development for fabrication of advanced waveguide systems using materials such as AlN and BaTiO3.
- Utilize existing facilities and expertise within the nanofabrication research laboratory including e-beam lithography, photolithography, plasma processing, metal deposition, focused ion beam processing to fabricate devices.
- Characterize optical performance and losses in fabricated devices and heterostructures and develop a deeper understanding for sources of loss and mitigate their impact.
- Work in a fast paced and highly collaborative environment to tackle difficult and open-ended problems.
- Disseminate scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
- Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
- Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of ORNL core values and ethics.
- Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.
Basic Qualifications:
- A PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in nanoscale device fabrication using photolithography, e-beam lithography, and plasma etching.
- Experience in various 2D CAD drawings software e.g., KLayout, Layout editor, AutoCAD, etc.
- Experience in thin film deposition techniques such as reactive sputtering of nitrides.
- Experience in various materials characterization using techniques including Raman spectroscopy, Atomic Forces Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy.
- Experience in focused ion beam (FIB)-based micromachining and direct write lithography.
- Experience in characterization of photonic devices.
- Experience in beam-induced fabrication such as gas assisted etching with electron and focused ion beams.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience.
- A strong record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at major conferences.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
- Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
Postdocs:
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.
Letters of Recommendation:
Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can 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
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
- For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
- Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
- To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
- If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
- Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.
About ORNL:
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.
ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added 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.
If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
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.
