PhD Position in Electron-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition

About the role

Empa's Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures seeks a highly motivated researcher to join a Swiss National Science Foundation project on electron‑enhanced atomic layer deposition (e‑ALD). The four‑year PhD will be enrolled in the EPFL EDMX doctoral programme.

Key responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a dedicated electron gun for e‑ALD experiments.
• Perform in‑situ mass measurements, ellipsometry and mass spectrometry to study surface reactions.
• Collect and interpret data on reaction products as a function of electron beam energy and dose.
• Conduct ex‑situ thin‑film morphology and composition analysis.
• Publish research findings in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals.

Required profile

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related field.
• Strong motivation to work in an international, multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken); German or French is a plus.

Required skills

• Hands‑on experience with vacuum technology.
• Familiarity with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and/or atomic layer deposition (ALD).
• Experience with in‑situ analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry and ellipsometry.

What we offer

• State‑of‑the‑art cleanrooms, high‑level materials analysis facilities, and ALD/MLD/PVD infrastructure.
• Location in Thun, a scenic area near the Swiss Alps.
• Inclusive and respectful research culture.