Postdoctoral Researcher in Semiconductor Electrical Characterization and Thin-Film Metrology

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors. Our campus is in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland.  Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. 

At the Department of Applied Physics, our pioneering research in physical sciences creates important industrial applications that hold great technological potential. Our research focuses on Materials physics, Quantum technology, Soft & living matter, and Advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. We educate future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

The ATOMEL project, led by Dr. Ali Afzalifar and hosted within the Soft Matter and Wetting Group headed by Prof. Robin Ras, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in semiconductor electrical characterization and thin-film metrology. The project is funded through a Business Finland Research-to-Business (R2B) commercialization grant.

ABOUT THE JOB

Are you an experimental semiconductor physicist, materials scientist or experienced R&D engineer/researcher in a closely related field excited about developing next-generation metrology instrumentation and building an international deep-tech startup from research? 

ATOMEL is a Business Finland Research-to-Business (R2B) project aimed at translating an academic innovation in scanning-probe-based thin-film characterization and electrical metrology into a new deep-tech venture serving the semiconductor industry. As modern microelectronics and advanced device architectures scale to increasingly complex ultrathin film structures, conventional metrology methods face growing limitations in resolving localized electrical and material properties. 

With our mechanical and instrumentation development already underway, we are seeking an experienced Postdoctoral Researcher to take full scientific and experimental ownership of our semiconductor electrical characterization strategy, physical modeling, and benchmark validation

YOUR ROLE AND GOALS

You will join a focused, full-time R2B core team working in tandem: you (leading Semiconductor Physics & Electrical Metrology), the other postdoctoral researcher/engineer (leading high-precision instrumentation, automation and control systems), our Business Developer (commercial lead), and Dr. Ali Afzalifar (project leader). After a brief onboarding phase, you are expected to operate with a high degree of scientific autonomy, guiding the team on experimental design and measurement physics.

Key responsibilities include:

• Electrical Characterization & Protocol Design: Lead the material characterization strategy by independently designing and executing high-precision electrical measurements (such as low-current I–V, C–V, and frequency-dependent impedance/dielectric characterization) on ultrathin films and semiconductor structures.
• Physical & Electrostatic Modeling: Develop analytical physical models and numerical simulations (e.g., finite-element electrostatic and transport modeling) to predict electrical responses, evaluate substrate and interface effects, and guide experimental parameter selection.
• Solid-State & Dielectric Data Interpretation: Translate raw electrical datasets into reliable physical metrics—such as conduction and leakage mechanisms, dielectric breakdown, charge trapping, and interfacial defect states—while rigorously distinguishing true material behavior from measurement noise, parasitics, and artefacts.
• Test Structure Preparation & Benchmarking: Select, design, and prepare representative semiconductor test vehicles and reference thin films (utilizing OtaNano/Micronova cleanroom and thin-film facilities where needed) to validate and benchmark system performance against established metrology standards.
• Hardware-Physics Integration & Industrial Validation: Work closely with the instrumentation engineer to optimize electrical measurement workflows on the prototype platform, and contribute to application validation and technical discussions with industrial semiconductor partners.

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for a hands-on experimentalist who does not merely run standard commercial recipes, but understands the underlying measurement physics deeply enough to design and troubleshoot new characterization experiments from first principles.

• Doctoral Degree (PhD): A PhD in semiconductor physics, Materials Science, Solid-State/Applied Physics, Micro-/Nanoelectronics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related experimental field.
• Advanced Electrical Characterization Expertise: Proven track record in designing and executing high-precision electrical measurements on thin films or solid-state devices, including low-current I–V, C–V, and frequency-dependent impedance or dielectric spectroscopy.
• Semiconductor & Dielectric Physics: Strong understanding of MOS/MIS/MIM device physics, high-k dielectrics, electrical transport, dielectric breakdown, charge trapping, interface states, and low-noise/parasitic mitigation in sensitive electrical measurements.
• Modeling & Quantitative Analysis: Ability to build analytical physical models and numerical simulations (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics, Python, or MATLAB) to interpret experimental data and guide measurement design.
• Cleanroom & Thin-Film Familiarity: Practical experience with semiconductor test structures and thin-film deposition/characterization workflows (e.g., ALD, ellipsometry, electrical SPM, or cleanroom wafer testing) is an advantage.
• Entrepreneurial Drive & Communication: Fluency in English (Finnish is not required), independent problem-solving mindset, and strong motivation to transition into the upcoming deep-tech spin-out company as a key technical leader or potential co-founder after the R2B phase.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer a high-impact position at the intersection of frontier nanoscale science and commercial semiconductor hardware. You will be based in the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University with direct access to world-class cleanroom and characterization infrastructure at OtaNano and Micronova (including ALD, electron microscopy, ellipsometry, and advanced electrical/SPM laboratories), alongside mentoring from Aalto Innovation Services and Aalto Startup Center. After the project, there is an opportunity to become part of the new deep-tech startup as a co-founder.

The position is full-time and initially funded for 18 months, with the possibility of extension. The salary depends on experience, with a starting salary of 4229,48–4649,25 € per month (gross). The position includes occupational healthcare.

We value a healthy work–life balance and actively support personal and professional development. You will have opportunities to collaborate with leading academic and industry partners and contribute to the development of cutting-edge thin-film metrology instrumentation for the semiconductor industry.

Join us!

Please submit your application including the attachments mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page (click the “Apply Now” button).

• A letter of motivation (max. 1 page): Describe your background, why you are the right person for this role, your interest in research commercialization, and your earliest possible starting date.
• Curriculum vitae: Including a list of publications and contact details for at least two academic or industrial references
• PDF copy of your original doctoral certificate: Including English translation (Finnish and Swedish certificates are also accepted).

Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions 

The deadline for applications is 15 December 2026, but candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we will invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.

The position is available immediately, and the starting date can be agreed upon with the selected candidate.

For further information, contact Dr. Ali Afzalifar, [email protected], or via phone +358 (0)503515837.

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

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