Postdoctoral Appointee: Topological Materials-based Device Physics

Company: Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Livermore
Posted on: September 16, 2023

Job Description:

About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
Extraordinary co-workers
Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at:
These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like
The Materials Physics Department at Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Postdoctoral researcher to explore novel Josephson junction physics in topological Dirac semimetals and semiconductor heterostructures for microelectronics applications. As part of our team, you will perform device fabrication and electronic transport measurements. You will also carry out device-level testing to assist collaborators with developing physics-based models for device performance.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
Fabricate devices using photo and e-beam lithography
Operate and maintain a 3He cryogenic system and a dilution refrigerator
Perform Low temperature electronic transport measurements
Travel is required
You should be self-motivated, able to work independently, and contribute creatively to team efforts. You will be expected to present results at national/international meetings and publish research in high profile peer-reviewed journals.
To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States of America without sponsorship for employment visa status.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite at the Sandia Livermore location.
Qualifications We Require
PhD in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field
Hands-on experience in electronic device fabrication (including photo and e-beam lithography)
Hands-on experience in low temperature transport properties measurement
A record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences
Qualifications We Desire
Experience with operation and maintance of 3He and dilution refrigerator cryogenic systems
Experience with Josephson junction physics
Experience with topological quantum materials
About Our Team
The Materials Physics department performs fundamental research on the structure and properties of materials to support programs in energy research, device physics, materials reliability, and national security. Specific activities include experimental and modeling studies of surface electronic structure and surface atomic structure and dynamics of metals, oxides, low dimensional semiconductors, and adsorbates; atomic-scale structure and composition analysis of metals, semiconductors, and composites; electrical and optical properties of low-dimensional semiconductors and optoelectronic devices; and the structural and electrochemical characterization of solid-state ionic materials. The Department supports internal and external sponsors and government agencies that seek solutions to problems of fundamental scientific inquiry, energy sustainability, and national defense.
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance
This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.
Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Position Information
This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.
Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Keywords: Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore , Postdoctoral Appointee: Topological Materials-based Device Physics, Other , Livermore, California