Description and aim of the position

DIFFER together with the University Twente and DEMCON-TSST are currently building a Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) user facility for energy materials at our location in Eindhoven. The facility has several deposition chambers and multiple in-situ diagnostics attached to a vacuum cluster line. The main part of the facility will be installed in the beginning of 2025. Scientifically, we will focus on metal oxide thin film for energy applications.

In this frame, we are looking for an enthusiastic Post Doc who wants to help with conditioning and running the new facility and with setting up and carrying out scientific projects together with academic and industrial collaborators.

Responsibilities and tasks:

• Conditioning and Operation: conditioning and operating the PLD cluster basis with two PLD and one sputtering chamber including in-situ diagnostics and characterization methods. Developing recipes for the deposition of metal and metal oxide thin films. Troubleshooting, if problems arise, and solving together with the supplier.
• User support: supporting users in developing deposition recipes and in operating the facility. Advising users for related in-situ and ex-situ thin film characterization and making contact with respective experts at DIFFER.
• Training and Education: getting trained in the new infrastructure and setting-up and giving trainings for technicians and users. Educating users on how to effectively utilize the facility's resources.
• Collaboration: closely collaborating with scientific and technical experts:
  
  • Scientific: contributing to and driving scientific projects with internal and external collaborators to produce scientific output and disseminate it (papers, conferences). Contributing to setting-up new scientific projects and grants. Establishing collaborations with other research groups and institutions to enhance the facility's capabilities and foster a collaborative research environment. Contributing actively to a vivid research environment at DIFFER.
  • Technical: supporting DIFFER technicians with maintenance and continuous improvement of the facility. Being in close contact with experts from University Twente on technical topics. Contributing to integrating in-situ diagnostics in the workflow of thin film deposition. Defining new upgrades for the facility to remain state-of-the-art. Involved in writing new investments proposals.
• Documentation and Reporting: writing user manuals and safety documents for supporting training and safety. Contributing to reporting of project progress, facility usage, maintenance activities, and any incidents or issues that arise.
• Safety and Compliance: ensuring that all users adhere to safety protocols and compliance regulations relevant to the facility and its equipment.
• Quality assurance: ensuring the quality of the output and ensuring data is properly stored (FAIR).

Qualifications:

We seek an enthusiastic and talented Materials Scientist / Engineer, Physicist or Chemist with strong background and expertise in vacuum thin film deposition techniques, preferably Pulsed Laser Deposition. Profound knowledge in energy materials, in particular metal oxide materials, is desired. Expertise in thin film characterization is expected.

You are expected to work closely together with many stakeholders with different expertise and background (educational and cultural). We therefore look for a great team player with excellent communication skills and motivation to discuss both scientific and technical aspects in a highly multidisciplinary field. Good verbal and written communication skills in English is a prerequisite in our international and interdisciplinary team. A proactive working attitude is expected.

The announced position is embedded in the Facilities & Instrumentation department at DIFFER with close collaboration with the scientific groups at DIFFER. It is a temporary position for 2 years with the possibility for extension to a permanent position. DIFFER strives to achieve a diverse workforce to develop talent and creativity by bringing together different perspectives. As such we encourages applications from minorities.

This position is for 1 FTE, and the position is graded in pay scale 10. The position will be based at DIFFER (www.differ.nl) and the working location will be at TU Eindhoven. When fulfilling a position at DIFFER, you will have an employee status at NWO. You can participate in all the employee benefits NWO offers. We have a number of regulations that support employees in finding a good work-life balance. At DIFFER we believe that a workforce diverse in gender, age and cultural background is key to performing excellent research. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to apply. More information on working at NWO can be found at the NWO website (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/)

Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research

The Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) performs leading fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure. We work in close partnership with (inter)national academia and industry. Our user facilities are open to industry and university researchers. As an institute of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) DIFFER plays a key role in fundamental research for the energy transition.

We use a multidisciplinary approach applicable on two key areas, solar fuels for the conversion and storage of renewable energy and nuclear fusion – as a clean source of energy.

Differ is looking for a