Job Description
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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Postdoctoral Researcher in Device Modeling
The Pennsylvania State University
Department of Nuclear Engineering
The Computational Nuclear Materials Group (https://sites.psu.edu/cnmg/) at Penn State invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in the area of device modeling. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team focused on developing and applying advanced computational tools to understand, predict, and improve the performance of wide-bandgap semiconductor devices, with a particular emphasis on GaN-based power electronics.
Responsibilities:
The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for:
- Performing physics-based simulations of devices (e.g., GaN HEMTs, Schottky diodes) using commercial and in-house tools.
- Developing and validating TCAD models for electronic transport, defect states, and electrothermal behavior in GaN devices.
- Interpreting simulation results in conjunction with experimental collaborators.
- Writing reports and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
- Contributing to proposal development and mentoring junior researchers in the group.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
- Strong background in semiconductor device physics, particularly for wide-bandgap materials. Experience in radiation effects in rad-hard WBG semiconductors is a plus.
- Prior experience with device simulation tools such as Synopsys Sentaurus, Silvaco Atlas, or COMSOL Multiphysics.
- Familiarity with GaN material properties, device operation principles, and reliability concerns.
- Proficiency in scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or C++) for post-processing and automation.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative research environment.
This is a one-year term position with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding.
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Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
EEO IS THE LAW
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University Park, PA
