Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nations future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country. Our organization fully supports service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life and pledges our commitment to actively hire veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Military personnel who have been formally trained or have relevant experience obtained while in service may meet educational requirements and are encouraged to apply for job opportunities at BSA.

Organizational Overview

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven is a DOE-funded national scientific user facility, offering users a supported research experience with top-caliber scientists and access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The CFN mission is advancing nanoscience through frontier fundamental research and technique development and is the nexus of a broad collaboration network. Each year, CFN staff members support the research of nearly 600 external facility users.

Three strategic nanoscience themes underlie the CFN scientific facilities: The CFN conducts research on nanomaterial synthesis by assembly designing precise architectures with targeted functionality by organizing nanoscale components.  The CFN researches and applies platforms for state-of-the-art techniques for Accelerated Nanomaterial Discovery, integrating synthesis, advanced characterization, physical modeling, and computer science to iteratively explore a wide range of material parameters. The CFN develops and utilizes advanced capabilities for studies of Nanomaterials in Operando Conditions for characterizing materials and reactions at the atomic scale in real-world environments.

Position Description

The CFN is seeking an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct novel research developing neuromorphic devices and materials, and their integration with application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for demonstrating efficient vector matrix multiplication (VMM) operations for AI applications. You will explore materials and device physics in the state-of-the-art neuromorphic materials and devices, such as memristors based on metal oxides and/or 2D materials, and develop nanofabrication processes for integrating memristor arrays on commercially fabricated ASIC chips. This project also provides the opportunity to investigate the application of novel device patterning methods (e.g., block copolymer thin-film self-assembly) and the ASIC-based electrical characterization of memristor arrays through collaboration with scientists at Instrumentation Division of BNL. You will work under the supervision of Dr. Chang-Yong Nam (Electronic Nanomaterials Group).

As the Job Title, you will have these roles and responsibilities:

• You will fabricate unit memristor devices based on the state-of-the-art neuromorphic materials and device structures.
• You will electrically characterize the fabricated unit memristor devices, especially their DC switching characteristics as well as pulse-based, neuromorphic operational characteristics.
• You will explore new materials, device physics, and patterning methods for improving the performance of neuromorphic devices.
• You will perform nanofabrication of memristor arrays and their integration on commercially fabricated ASIC chips designed for efficient VMM operation and AI application.
• You will collaborate with scientific staff with diverse backgrounds including materials science, nanofabrication, device fabrication and physics, and ASIC design and electrical characterization.
• You will disseminate research findings via paper publications and external presentations.

Position Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline)
• Demonstrated experimental expertise in memristor device fabrication and electrical characterization, as well as associated materials and device physics.
• Demonstrated experimental experience in nanofabrication processes (e.g., electron-beam lithography, PVD, ALD etc.) and neuromorphic device data analysis.
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations/proceedings.
• Committed to creative and independent research, teamwork, and fostering an environment of safe scientific work practices.
• Committed to fostering an environment of safe scientific work practices.

• Hands-on experience in fabrication and electrical characterization (using semiconductor parameter analyzer) of neuromorphic devices based on metal oxides and/or 2D materials.
• Hands-on experience in fabricating memristor arrays and their array-level electrical characterization.
• Experience in engineering materials and device physics for improving neuromorphic device performance.
• Working knowledge of integrating memristor arrays with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits such as ASICs and their system-level functions and operations.
• Experience in materials characterization and analysis based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and surface science techniques (e.g., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning probe microscopy techniques etc.)
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team to tackle challenging scientific problems..

BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.

At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave)
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Employee Fitness/Wellness & Recreation:  Gym/Basketball Courts, Weight Room, Fitness Classes, Indoor Pool, Tennis Courts, Sports Clubs/Activities (Basketball, Tennis, Softball, Table Tennis)
• Child Development Center

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

BNL takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

*VEVRAA Federal Contractor

Brookhaven employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file