Postdoctoral Researcher - Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Oxide and Nitride Materials

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Oxide and Nitride Materials Location: CO - Golden Position Type: Postdoc (Fixed Term) Hours Per Week: 40 Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado 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 our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you’ll find a mission‑driven environment supported by state‑of‑the‑art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well‑being. Job Description A Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in the Materials Science Center, in the area of thin film synthesis of nitride and oxide materials using Plasma‑Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy. The position would involve synthesis and characterization of oxide and nitride materials for electronic applications using molecular beam epitaxy system with radio‑frequency plasma sources. Particular emphasis will be placed on the growth, doping, and characterization of electronic‑grade ultra‑wide bandgap semiconductors. The position would support both basic research projects and applied development projects on ultra‑wide bandgap oxide materials including both gallium oxide, group III nitrides, and other emerging oxides and nitrides. Possible device applications include radio‑frequency transistors, power diodes, radiation detectors, sensors for extreme environments, and other semiconductor devices. The job duties will also include stewardship of recently acquired deposition and characterization equipment, maintaining existing experimental facilities, as well as development and modification of data analysis software. The postdoc appointment is for up to 3 years total, reviewed and extended annually based on program needs, funding availability and performance. Basic Qualifications Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years. Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date. Additional Required Qualifications Solid experience operating a plasma‑assisted molecular beam epitaxy tool. Hands‑on ability to maintain complex vacuum deposition equipment. Prior background in oxides or nitride materials research, or other relevant materials systems. Some experience with semiconductor materials or electronic devices. Established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publishing, and communication. Preferred Qualifications Any of the additional prior experiences would be considered a plus: Prior direct experience with cleanroom‑based semiconductor device fabrication, with emphasis placed on ultra‑wide bandgap materials and their associated devices. Prior direct experience with material development for one of the device application areas above. Prior experience (e.g., intern) in an industrial or laboratory R&D setting, design of experiments. In‑depth knowledge on one or several materials characterization methods, such as diffraction, spectroscopy, microscopy, material property measurements. Active computer skills in programing (e.g. LabView, C/Igor Pro, Python, Matlab, etc.), statistical data analysis, and/or software development. Mentorship experience with undergraduate or graduate students. Strong motivation, ability to work on collaborative projects, ability to balance different types of tasks. Job Application Submission Window The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed. Annual Salary Range (based on full‑time 40 hours per week) Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400 NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions. Benefits Summary Benefits include 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; and paid holidays. NLR 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. * Based on eligibility rules Badging Requirement NLR 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 required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Drug Free Workplace NLR is committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug‑Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre‑employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre‑employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre‑employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard 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 E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. About NLR The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy. #J-18808-Ljbffr National Renewable Energy Laboratory