Research Fellow (Department of Materials Science and Engineering)

Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at the NUS Career Portal. Please note your application will only be processed if you apply via NUS Career Portal.

NUS Career Portal link - https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Fellow-%28Department-of-Materials-Science-and-Engineering%29/34366-en_GB/

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

The successful candidate will work with Professor Barbaros Oezyilmaz and Dr Toh Chee Tat on applications of 2D Amorphous Carbon under the Central Gap Fund grant on commercializing a breakthrough Ultralow-K (ULK) Monolayer Amorphous Carbon (MAC) dielectric technology. Having successfully validated the core materials physics at the lab scale, we are now solving critical reactor scaling challenges to transition our UV-CVD prototype into a scalable 200mm/300mm commercial alpha tool. This technology solves the critical interconnect RC-delay bottleneck in sub-3nm advanced CMOS nodes and has already secured strong evaluation traction from top-tier global semiconductor and equipment manufacturers.

The main responsibilities of the position include:
The project aims to translate ultralow-k monolayer amorphous carbon dielectric technology from lab-scale validation toward a scalable UV-CVD platform compatible with 200 mm / 300 mm wafer processing. The successful candidate will work on the development, characterization, and commercialization of 2D amorphous carbon materials for advanced semiconductor and related industrial applications.

The candidate will:
• Develop and optimize wafer-scale UV-CVD growth processes for 2D amorphous carbon films.
• Address reactor-scaling challenges required to transition the current prototype toward a commercial alpha-tool platform.
• Fabricate and characterize 2D amorphous carbon-based devices and test structures.
• Evaluate dielectric, structural, mechanical, electrical, and diffusion-barrier properties of MAC films.
• Develop application use cases for 2D amorphous carbon films in ultralow-k dielectrics, interconnect integration, diffusion barriers, magnetic media, and protective coatings.
• Analyse industry bottlenecks and define how MAC materials and processes can address urgent technology challenges.
• Work with industrial partners to establish evaluation protocols, performance targets, and joint development opportunities.
• Contribute to high-impact publications, patent filings, invention disclosures, and translational grant deliverables.
• Identify suitable industrial collaborators and support licensing, joint development funding, and commercialization activities.
• Mentor PhD, Master’s, and undergraduate students working on related research tasks.

Qualifications

Qualifications / Discipline:
Candidates should hold a PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

Skills:
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
1. Strong spectroscopy expertise, including experience with techniques such as photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
2. Experience with synthesized or naturally derived 2D materials, including exfoliation, stacking, transfer, synthesis, or device integration.
3. A strong understanding of chemical vapour deposition processes and the growth of low-dimensional materials.
4. An established network for collaboration in materials characterization, device fabrication, and application development.
5. Independence, initiative, and strong time-management, planning, and organizational capabilities.
6. Ability to perform detailed risk assessments, prepare experimental protocols, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and make sound technical, administrative, and procedural decisions.
7. Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5–8 years of laboratory research experience, preferably with a focus on nanomaterials, low-dimensional materials, or technology validation for advanced materials applications.

Experience in research project management, coordination of collaborative projects, or supervision of junior researchers is strongly encouraged.