"Assistant Research Scientist - Materials Science & Engineering"

Job Details

Assistant Research Scientist - Materials Science & Engineering

Position overview Position title: Assistant Research Scientist
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t14-b.pdf. The current full-time base salary range for this position is $124,200 -$156,000.

Percent time: 100

Anticipated start: Fall 2025

Position duration: 1 year with the possibility of renewal depending on availability of funding and satisfactory performance

Application Window
Open date: September 17, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Oct 17, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Professor Ramesh runs a large complex oxide growth cluster consisting of multiple (3) excimer lasers and 11 chambers in his lab. All growth systems are optimized for growth of top-notch oxide thin films. The center-pieces of the growth center are four reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) equipped chambers in which one can monitor the intensity oscillations as a function of time, enabling one to maintain a nearly perfect surface throughout the entire structure. These systems allow for growth of oxides with real-time, in situ monitoring at up to 300 mTorr pressures of O 2 . The remaining systems are optimized for high-throughput of a wide range of materials - there are very few materials that are off-limits for study in these systems. This gives the research program great flexibility in the search for new materials and functionalities. The lab houses a 200mm PVD system for scale up activities as well as a UHV PVD system for nonoxides. In addition to this, he has developed extensive structure, surface, and electronic testing facilities within his own facilities. This is augmented by access to user facilities both within the department, the college of engineering and campus.

The job description is as follows:

• Be the Berkeley technical lead for the DARPA-NGMM project
• Oversee the synthesis of ferroelectric materials on STO/Si wafers
• Carry out structural and electrical metrology to validate the process
• Coordinate with researchers at UT Austin and Rice University to transfer the process to TIE Fab
• Write patent disclosures and publications
• Disseminate research results through lead-authored publications in refereed conference proceedings and/or journals and participation in conferences and standard workgroups.
• Oversee (partial) postdoc working on the project

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree)

Preferred qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering or related-discipline with appropriate postdoctoral research experience
• At least 5-7 years of experience in oxide thin film synthesis using physical vapor deposition
• Work in industrial lab will be valuable
• Expertise in structural and electrical metrology of ferroelectrics
• A good understanding of process integration of oxide ferroelectrics on Si for memory applications
• Excellent people skills and ability to work with a broad spectrum of professionals
• Ability to interact positively with federal funding agencies along with excellent communication skills

Application Requirements

Document requirements- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter (Optional)
- Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05093

Help contact: rramesh@berkeley.edu