National-Lab
Location: CO
About the job
Posting Title
Postdoctoral researcher—Thin film photoabsorber development
Location
CO – Golden
Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week
40
Working at NLR
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
The Materials Discovery and Design team in the Materials Science center has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the development of inorganic polycrystalline thin film photoabsorber materials. This experimental position would involve synthesis, characterization, and processing of chalcogenide (selenide, telluride) and pnictide (nitride, phosphide) thin film semiconductor materials for applications as light absorbers and photoelectrodes in photoelectrochemical fuel production. This role will involve thin film deposition, with a focus on multilayer device stack fabrication, and characterization of semiconductor structure and properties, with a focus on measurements of photoexcited carrier dynamics and charge transport. Job duties will also include setting up and maintaining existing experimental equipment, and improving/developing data collection and analysis software.
This research will take place within a multi-disciplinary team, where the successful candidate will not only develop their own work for publication but also collaborate closely with others to provide material and publish work beyond synthesis or device fabrication. As such, established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publication, and communication is required for this position. In addition, a successful candidate will be expected to have strong self-motivation, ability to work on collaborative projects and to balance different types of tasks and deadlines. The initial appointment is for 1 year with possible extension of up to 3 years total provided mutual satisfaction and availability of funds.
Please include a cover letter describing how you meet Additional Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications (see below) in order to complete your application.
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
Candidates should have direct experience in at least two of the following areas:
Hands-on experience with thin film vacuum deposition tools, such as reactive sputtering, co-evaporation, or molecular beam epitaxy.
Background developing and optimizing polycrystalline photoabsorber materials and interfacial/contact layers, including device level work.
Working knowledge of photoexcited carrier dynamics measurement methods, such as time resolved photoluminescence, transient absorption spectroscopy, etc.
Experience in fabrication and characterization of semiconductor junctions for optoelectronic applications
Note: We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply, even if they don’t meet 100% of the position requirements. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the credentials, skills, and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong candidates are asked to further demonstrate experience in any of the following:
Proven ability to maintain complex synthesis and characterization equipment, in particular high vacuum instruments using hazardous production materials.
Expertise in novel chemical spaces with underexplored materials compositions (ternary or multinary) or unusual crystal structures (zintl, chalcopyrite, kesterite etc)
Experience in fabrication and characterization of polycrystalline thin film photovoltaic absorbers materials and devices such as CdTe, CIGS, CZTS
In-depth knowledge of one or several characterization methods used to determine the composition and structure of inorganic materials.
Hands on skills in assembly, troubleshooting and use of photoelectrochemical electrodes and cell fixtures
Basic understanding of photoelectrochemical measurement and characterization methods
Prior experience with high-throughput experimental (combinatorial), data-drive, or AI/ML-assisted research methods and techniques.
Active computer skills in programing (e.g. C or Igor Pro, Python, LabView, Matlab, etc.), statistical data analysis, and/or software development
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)
Job Profile: 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.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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
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