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Developing Atomistic Transport Calculations for Semiconductor Materials

The Material Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking qualified persons (U.S. citizens preferred) to develop a multi-scale modeling infrastructure for the predicting the properties and performance of advanced semiconductor materials and devices via atomistic simulations to obtain transport properties via non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) techniques. Some of the key properties include conductance, I-V characteristics and transmission spectra. A key aspect of this work will be exploring how defects impact the transport properties of industrially relevant semiconductor interfaces. The systems of interest include gate-all-around transistors (Si/SiO2), high power devices (SiC/SiO2) and high electron mobility transistors (GaN/AlGaN).

Duties

  • Develop comprehensive workflow to conduct high-throughput NEGF calculations to obtain conductance, I-V characteristics and transmission spectra for semiconductor interfaces. 
  • Perform simulations using atomistic (electronic structure and transport) software such as VASP, Quantum Espresso, GPAW, DFTB+, SIESTA/TranSiesta, QuantumATK, or similar codes, and perform data analysis, to investigate relevant material properties. 
  • Use NEGF in conjunction with machine learning techniques to study electronic transport phenomena at a larger scale. 
  • Present results at internal meetings and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.

Required Skills, Expertise, and Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering or a related field. 
  • Experience with DFT and atomistic transport software: VASP, Quantum Espresso, GPAW, DFTB+, SIESTA/TranSiesta, QuantumATK. 
  • Python programming, and experience with machine learning techniques. 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills are required for collaboration and should be evident in archival publications.

Employment Terms

This opportunity is to be an associate researcher in the NIST Material Data Division for a term of 1 year, with options to renew. Associate researchers are NOT Federal Employees, but they work along with NIST researchers and with NIST’s world-class instrumentation. Relocation expenses will not be provided. U.S. citizens hired into associate positions may have the opportunity to seek longer term Federal Employment.

How to Express Interest

Interested persons (U.S. citizens preferred) who meet all of the required qualifications are invited to express their interest by sending an email that briefly describes their qualifications along with a CV to 641assoc [at] nist.gov (641assoc[at]nist[dot]gov). U.S. citizens should note “US.. Citizen” and the opportunity title in the email subject line. All others should note “Non-U.S. Citizen” and the opportunity title in the email subject line.

An Associate at NIST is not a federal employee but collaborates with NIST on research projects of mutual interest and does not work exclusively on NIST mission-related activities. If you have any questions, please contact the International and Academic Affairs Office at IAAO [at] nist.gov (IAAO[at]nist[dot]gov).
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