Requisition Id 11533 

Overview: 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate whose work will focus on characterization and synthesis of thin film quantum materials. This will be a highly collaborative position residing in the Quantum Heterostructures Group in the Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our research team, you will assist with the growth of thin film and heterostructure quantum materials utilizing molecular beam epitaxy, and probing the crystalline, electronic, and magnetic properties. Your emphasis will be on the development and characterization of phenomena in heterostructures of strongly correlated phases with Dirac materials, Weyl semimetals, topological insulators, etc. This will include preforming characterization in a unique state of the art laboratory to study the structure, electronic structure, and magnetic state. The candidate will work in close collaboration with Dr. Matthew Brahlek and other members of the Quantum Heterostructure group as well as in collaboration with other groups within the BES MSED program . In addition, you will have access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication facilities at the Center for Nanophase Material Science (CNMS), a DOE user facility onsite at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Synthesize thin films materials by molecular beam epitaxy and pulsed laser deposition.
• Characterize electronic and device properties utilizing a dilution refrigerator and Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS), as well as additional characterization structural and magnetic including four-circle X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES), synchrotron X-ray diffraction/Spectroscopy, and neutron scattering.
• Focus on automated synthesis and characterization and bridging fundamental materials and computation groups.
• Lead user proposals to gain access to DOE-funded user facilities.
• Disseminate of scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• Work in the fast paced and highly collaborative environment at ORNL to maintain a high level of scientific productivity.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, or a related field completed within the last 5 years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to those with a strong background in either thin film device fabrication or low temperature transport with experience in synthesis by molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, or bulk single crystals.
• 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 and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience.
• Familiarity with numerical data analysis and customization of control software (Python, Labview, etc.).
• Experience with the use of nanofabrication techniques, dilution refrigerator, PPMS, XRD, SQUID, XPS, scanning probes, soft x-rays, and neutrons.
• 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

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 for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

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

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, 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 or call 1.866.963.9545.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Knoxville