Job Summary
The continued march of Moore’s Law, explosion of artificial intelligence, and the
prevalence of ubiquitous connectivity demands ever more capable electronic devices and
circuits. Additional capability is increasingly found with “new” materials having differentiating
properties. Logic roadmaps, for example, now include two-dimensional transition metal
dichalcogenides. Power devices are being pursued with materials like gallium oxide and
aluminum nitride having ever expanding bandgaps. Memory, meanwhile, uses too much
energy for AI workflows motivating use of new materials like ferroelectric hafnia (FE-HfO2).
With new materials, comes new problems, however. Science based solutions must be
developed to make the transition from “lab to fab.” This, in turn, requires developing the defect
science and characterization methods that will guide the processing and development of these
next-generation devices for the decade(s) to come. Recognizing this need, your position will
be focused on developing these techniques. Specifically, you will develop electro-optical
methods capable of imaging defects, strain, phase, and temperature in oxides used as both
next generation memory elements and dielectrics in logic. By combining electrical and optical
stimulus with near-field probes, your job will center on creating techniques capable of “seeing”
in both real and energy space at the spatial scale of the devices themselves (<50 nm). This will
be accomplished by employing Purdue’s newly acquired multi-modal near-field optical
scanning system located in the Birck Nanotechnology Center. In creating the methods that will
assess next generation semiconductors, the position will culminate in career opportunities
spanning from academic to entrepreneurial.
Experience
• A Ph.D. in engineering, physics, or related discipline
• Experience in one, or more, of the following areas: (1) multi-modal scanning probe
characterization (SNOM, nanoFTIR, PFM, KPFM, etc.) (2) defect science, (3) optical
spectroscopy, (4) advanced electrical characterization (DLTS, DLOS, IPE, scanning
photocapacitive, etc.).
• The ability to communicate expertly within and between disciplines both via the written
and spoken word as evidenced via a strong scholarly record.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently within an interdisciplinary team while
being both mentored and taking on a mentoring role.
Job Family
Research