Semiconductor Device Scientist

Overview

Our SRI campus in Princeton, NJ has an immediate opening for a Semiconductor Device Scientist within the Advanced Technology and Systems Division.

This role centers on semiconductor device innovation – solving challenging technical problems by synthesizing advancements across scientific domains into cohesive, functional, cutting-edge devices spanning a wide range of technology areas, including advanced imaging, night-vision, RF-photonics, quantum sensing, energy harvesting, and advanced PNT applications. We take a principles-to-prototypes approach, leveraging knowledge of semiconductor physics and light-matter interactions alongside practical fabrication knowhow to create usable solutions to new and exciting problems. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to take new ideas through the full cycle of device creation – from conception and modeling, through translation into material growth and fabrication, and into testing, data analysis, and eventual implementation into systems. The ideal candidate will have an excellent working knowledge of optoelectronic and photonic devices, including in the III-V material system, with a desire to expand their design approach beyond conventional architectures into emerging fields like nanostructured devices, heterogeneous heterostructures, and photonic integrated circuits, to name a few.  Critical to success is a deep understanding of device operation and the eventual use case, to identify the key problems and devise innovative architectures to overcome conventional limitations.

Responsibilities

You will make leading-edge contributions to existing programs and help to shape the direction of future research efforts. You will have the opportunity to develop into a Principal Investigator, designing new research paths, supervising research staff, and interacting with research sponsors to fund new program directions. Most programs are executed in small, highly collaborative groups.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Developing technically-rich proposals that strive for ambitious improvements in system performance grounded in sound but creative technological implementation
• Device modeling and band structure analysis to predict device performance and physical limits
• Leading fabrication in our on-site clean room & local University-based nanofabrication facilities
• Designing test sets and leading device measurement to probe the key metrics that inform the design process and customer goals
• Working with a small group of technical experts to develop new research concepts and solve problems on existing programs

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or equivalent, with post-degree experience a plus.
• Must be U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Technical knowledge in areas such as:

• Semiconductor physics, including band gap engineering
• Optoelectronic design and subwavelength-engineered structures
• Micro and nanofabrication, as applied to semiconductor and photonic devices
• Heterogeneous integration techniques of non-lattice-matched structures
• Emerging material systems and design approaches
• Familiarity with physical measurements and laboratory instrumentation
• Strong numerical and analytical modeling skills to support process, device or system designs (e.g. Matlab, C , COMSOL, etc.).

Intangibles

• Strong intuition of the physical principles underlying devices
• Detail-oriented
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Able to work in a team environment
• Self-motivated
• Must possess a results-oriented approach
• Interest in a broad range of technical areas

SRI International, an over 75-year strong pioneering research institute, has a rich history supporting government and industry. Our innovations have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value and lasting benefits to society. SRI is organized around broad disciplines and capabilities, with research and development divisions and labs to groups who excel at identifying new opportunities, developing products and creating custom solutions. Our organization is driven by impact - delivering unique solutions for the world's important challenges and transforming ideas into reality for clients and partners.