Research Fellow - Spintronic Nano-Oscillators for Neuromorphic Computation Applications

Overview

The Spintronics Research Group is focused on deploying Spintronics enabled solutions in industrial products and society at large, while keeping scientific excellence and continuously pushing promising technologies from low TRL to high TRL.  To this end, the research group develops its activities along two research lines concerning magnetic field sensors and spin dynamics.  This position concerns the research line spin dynamics. 

We are looking for a qualified Post-Doctoral Researcher to join our team working on spin transfer torque nano-oscillators for spintronic implementations of neuromorphic systems under European ProjectsSpinar(https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/attachment/865752/PADR%20-%20SPINAR.pdf.pdf  ) and RadioSpin(https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101017098 )

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

1.   Deposition, bulk level characterization (CIPT, VSM, X-ray, etc…) and optimization of magnetic tunnel junction stacks with appropriate properties for the neuromorphic applications being targeted.

2.    Nanofabrication of the optimized stacks into devices using the established nano-fabrication process developed at INL 1000m2 clean room for 200mm wafers.

3. Characterization of the electrical properties of the devices produced and correlation between the measured properties and process/stack parameters towards a continuous improvement of the stacks and nanofabrication process.

4.  Elaboration of project documentation, reports and presentations.

5.  Participation in the internal collaborative research effort towards achieving the goals of the projects.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

PhD in Physics, Material Sciences or related field with a strong background in spintronics and clean room nanofabrication.

Experience

• Experience in clean room fabrication of spintronic devices is required.
• Experience in the operation of common clean room tools used in the nanofabrication of magnetic tunnel junctions, including: PVD deposition systems, Ion Milling, Direct Write Laser Lithography, CVD deposition tools, RIE tools, SEM inspection tools and metrology instruments (contact profilometers, sheet resistance mapping, etc..).
• Experience in the electrical characterization of devices and ability to analyse and present data gathered using usual scripting and analysis tools (python, mathematica, matlab, etc…).

Technical Skills

• Design of E-beam and Photolithography masks using CAD tools.
• Follow and design a run-sheet for the nanofabrication of devices compatible with specifications from several projects.
• Know-how in magnetism and the ability to extract and analyse VSM data.

Other Skills

• Good English (written and spoken) and communication skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• First-hand direct experience in the nanofabrication of magnetic tunnel junction nanodevices is highly valued.
• First-hand experience in the following is valued:
  • nanofabrication and characterization of spintronic nano-oscillators.
  • integration of devices with CMOS.
  • system level integration of spintronic components.
  • use of modelling tools (COMSOL, Mumax, etc…).

• Knowledge of electronic circuits and systems (in particular RF circuits) is valued.

Personal Skills

•     Ability to work independently and as team player;
•     Commitment and result driven work ethics;
•     Capacity to organize the workload in a flexible way;
•     Capacity to work in multidisciplinary teams;
•     Pro-active spirit;
•     Good understanding of state-of-the-art research in the field;

Note: Candidates should not have a labour contract with INL during the 12 months before the application.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

d)     Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions)*.

* The selected candidate(s) with an academic degree granted by a non-Portuguese higher education institution must present, for hiring purposes, the certificate of recognition of that degree(s), issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution. Please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en .

At the application stage, the supporting document(s) mentioned in paragraph (d) [Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions)], may be replaced by a Declaration of Honour (Template)  from the candidate. In this case, the application of the candidate will be provisionally accepted provided that the following conditions shall be satisfied:

Online application instructions:

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int ), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.