PDRA on MOVPE Growth of Nitride Materials

About the role

The University of Cambridge's Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work in the Cambridge Centre for Gallium Nitride. The post focuses on growing nitride materials by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and characterising them, with a focus on AlGaN epitaxy for high-performance AlGaN solid-state circuit breakers. The project is funded under the UltrAlGaN Programme Grant (EPSRC) in collaboration with the University of Bristol and other partners. The role is full-time, based in West Cambridge, and is responsible to Prof. Rachel Oliver.

Key responsibilities

• Manage research activities, generate high-quality data and develop scientific techniques
• Contribute to the direction of nitride research within the Centre and help with grant administration and funding reports
• Present data at lab meetings, seminars and international conferences, and draft scientific manuscripts
• Supervise Masters or PhD students and help develop their research skills
• Plan the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops, and take part in joint research projects

Required profile

• PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related area, or near completion
• Research experience, including evidence of research independence such as a first-author publication
• Track record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in nitride semiconductor research and, ideally, device fabrication

Required skills

• Extensive experience in crystal growth, preferably by MOVPE
• Characterisation of materials by at least two of: scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, cathodoluminescence, photoluminescence, TEM, Hall probe measurements or C-V measurements
• Data presentation and effective communication

What we offer

• Salary of £38,448 to £46,970 per year (Grade 7); candidates still awaiting their PhD start on Grade 5 and move to Grade 7 once awarded
• Fixed-term contract of 24 months, renewable
• Hybrid working under the University's hybrid working policy

Applications are made online through the University's recruitment system, with a CV and research statement, quoting reference LJ51505. Early applications are encouraged as the vacancy may close early.