Postdoctoral Fellow in Fabrication and Characterization of Semiconductor Nanowire UV Lasers

About the job

The 3-year postdoctoral fellowship position is available at the Department of Electronic Systems (IES)  at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The position will be in the “III-V semiconductor nano-device” research group at IES.

The group focuses on growth, characterization and processing of III-V semiconductor nanowire/graphene structures for use in various optoelectronic applications. The III-V nanowires are grown in a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) lab. Optoelectronic characterization of nanostructures and devices is done using techniques such as low temperature micro-photoluminescence, photocurrent and electroluminescence, using a Nanophotonics lab.

The postdoctoral position is connected to the project “Ultraviolet nanowire/graphene laser (UV-nanolaser)” funded by the Research Council of Norway and NTNU. The objective of the project is to develop semiconductor laser diodes based on positioned AlGaN nanowires grown by MBE on a graphene hole-mask. The final laser device will operate in the germicidal ultraviolet UVC spectral range (<280 nm). Such lasers are today in high demand for e.g. water, air and surface disinfection and for various applications in medicine.

The project involves collaboration with international academic partners in Europe and Asia.

You will report to the Head of the Department.

Duties of the position

The postdoctoral fellow will work on the fabrication, optical and structural characterization of the nanolasers. The optical studies will be performed using micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy at the Nanophotonics lab at IES (including a ps/fs pulsed Ti:Saph laser and doubler&tripler). The apparatus allows for room and low temperature measurements of single nanowires and nanowire arrays.  For the device fabrication, optimised AlGaN nanowire arrays will be processed using different tools available in the NTNU NanoLab cleanroom  facility, including electron beam and photo-lithography. Fabricated nano laser devices will be examined using different electro-optical probe stations. 

Additional duties:

• Collaboration with the other internal and external project members of the project including PhD students, postdocs, and engineers.
• Writing journal articles and dissemination of results at international conferences and workshops.

Required selection criteria

The position requires a PhD degree in physics, nanotechnology or similar disciplines. The candidate must have documented experience from fabrication and characterization of heterostructured semiconductor nanostructures (e.g. nanowires, quantum dots).

Excellent English skills, written and spoken, are required. Applicants from non-European countries where English is not the official language must present an official language test report. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test).
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted).
• CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in III-V semiconductor device processing in clean room.
• Experience in UV spectroscopy of semiconductor nanostructures.
• Experience in III-V semiconductor epitaxial growth.

Personal characteristics

• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Takes responsibility for progress and works independently.
• Diligent and able to show initiative on behalf of their own work.
• Creative, proactive and with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently and the ability to work as part of a team.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 563 500 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The period of employment is 3 years.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants , and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.  

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application 

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining how your research background would fit the position.
• CV and certificates.
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted.
• Copy of the PhD thesis (in PDF), or, for those who are near to completion of their PhD, an extended abstract combined with a statement of how and when the applicant plans to complete the thesis (1 page). Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 items).
• 2-3 pages research plan.
• Name and contact information of two referees.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. 

General information 

Working at NTNU 

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality . 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Helge Weman, [email protected] .

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Solveig Grimstad, [email protected] .

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation. 

Application deadline: 17.04.23 

NTNU

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electronic Systems

The digitalization of Norway is impossible without electronic systems. We are Norway’s leading academic environment in this field, and contribute with our expertise in areas ranging from nanoelectronics, phototonics, signal processing, radio technology and acoustics to satellite technology and autonomous systems. Knowledge of electronic systems is also vital for addressing important challenges in transport, energy, the environment, and health. The Department of Electronic Systems  is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 17th April 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen