Research Assistant: Further development and application of advanced sputtering techniques (HPPMS, in

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for 1

Research Assistant: Further development and application of advanced sputtering techniques (HPPMS, in situ plasma diagnostics) for combinatorial materials research

The chair of Materials Discovery and Interfaces at the Institute for Materials develops new multifunctional materials by using combinatorial sputtering methods (material libraries) and high-throughput characterization methods. For this purpose, unique experimental facilities are available: 8 combinatorial sputtering systems (inert, reactive, DC, RF, HPPMS, …), in situ characterization methods (plasma diagnostics, e.g. OES), diverse high-throughput characterization methods (EDX, XPS, XRD, functional properties).

In order to strengthen the efficient international team of the chair, the position of a research assistant (m/f/x) is to be filled. We are looking for a sputtering expert to further develop and utilize the existing sputtering capabilities. The tasks include experimental work (development and use of optimized sputtering processes, synthesis of material libraries, high-throughput characterization), the processing of publicly funded projects and industrial projects. We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with very good knowledge in the field of sputtering technology who is willing to tackle new, exciting and promising topics in an interdisciplinary environment and who has the ambition to efficiently generate, publish and apply new scientific findings using the exceptional experimental facilities available. The future research assistant (m/f/x) is expected to work independently with high motivation, be able to work in teams in a goal-oriented manner, efficiently translate results into scientific publications, very good scientific, technical and communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English.

Scope: full-time

Duration: fixed-term, 31.12.2026 (end of project)

Start: at the earliest possible date

Apply by: 2025-08-15

Your tasks:

• Combinatorial synthesis of thin film materials libraries using sputtering
• High-throughput characterization of the thin film materials libraries (EDX, XRD, …)
• Implementing new advanced sputtering and characterization techniques (OES, AES, RHEED)
• Further development of combinatorial fabrication processes towards (semi)autonomous coating processes

Your profile:

• Completed studies (Master degree) with very good results in the field of materials science
• Extensive experience in the field of sputtering thin films
• Experience in the field of thin film characterization, e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, …
• Experience with HPPMS
• Experience with in situ characterization techniques such as optical emission spectroscopy (OES), quartz crystal monitor or Langmuir probe
• Experience in data science literacy and programming knowledge are desirable
• Willingness to work in a clean room
• Experience and interest in publications

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/abb7963b3857e361334920fe6a0baadc4080ea3a0?ref=AfA