• Postdoctoral Fellow (Prep0003261)

    Johns Hopkins University (Gaithersburg, MD)


    PREP Research Associate

     

    CHIPS Funded Project.

     

    This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

    Research Title:

    Materials Research Scientist (CHIPS Project: Nanometer-Scale Planar Reference Materials)

     

    The work will entail: The candidate will join a team of researchers working with advanced metrology methods to characterize, local physical and chemical properties and map any variation in these properties of thin, nanometer-scale films (oxides, nitrides, carbides, germinides) deposited on Si and SiC wafers. The candidate will plan and conduct research using X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine through hybrid metrology, open-source, analysis methods, structural maps for wafers with thin films of essential interest to the semiconductor community.

    Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

    - Plan and conduct research on advanced X-ray metrologies to determine structural (physical and chemical) properties of blanket (non-patterned) thin films on Si and SiC wafers.

     

    - Use X-ray characterization methods, such as X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to determine the structural properties of thin film samples.

     

    - Use open-source (python) fitting methods to constrain structural models, determine uncertainties, and combined these properties into a hybrid metrology digital wafer.

     

    - Perform wafer dicing, cleaning, and packaging of samples for distribution as a Research Grade Test Material to pair with the previously-determined digital wafer model.

     

    - Publish results in refereed scientific journals and present results at conferences and meetings.

     

    - PhD in physics, materials science, or another related field

    - Background in X-ray measurement technique(s) required, either:

    o X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence, or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

     

    - Background in programming and/or data modeling using python (or equivalent) recommended.

     

    - Familiarity with thin film deposition and clean room access protocols, preferred

     

    - Strong oral and written communication skills

     

    - Ability to work productively as part of a team and independently

     

    Salary: $75,000-$90,000 a year

    Please upload the following with your application:

    - CV/Resume

    *Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Please DO NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your resume.

     

    Privacy Act Statement

     

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

     

    Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) (https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/nist-professional-research-experience-program-prep) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

     

    PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.

     

    Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

     

    Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

    Job Type: Full Time

    The listed salary range represents the minimum and maximum Johns Hopkins University offers for this position, based on a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as location, skills, experience, market conditions, education, and internal equity. Not all candidates will qualify for the highest salary in the range.

     

    Johns Hopkins provides a comprehensive benefits package supporting health, career, and retirement. Learn more: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

     

    Equal Opportunity Employer

     

    All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

    EEO is the Law

    https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf