Nanoelectronics and Device Physics Engineer
Astera Institute is an active nonprofit research institute and foundation that operates in-house neuroscience-informed AI research and funds, operates, and supports open-science programs and public goods.
About Astera Institute
Astera operates three divisions: Neuro-AI, Radial life-sciences research, and its Foundation. Its AI work pursues neuroscience-informed approaches to artificial general intelligence, while its foundation and Radial activities support open scientific infrastructure, datasets, research programs, and residencies.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will design the electrostatic drive, field-effect position sensor, and complete device stack for a nanoscale actuator. You will direct fabrication, characterize electrical and mechanical performance, validate reliability, and ensure the measurement toolchain resolves the required quantities.
Requirements
- PhD or MS in electrical engineering, applied physics, materials science, or a related field
- Knowledge of semiconductor device physics
- Experience with high-k dielectrics, thin-film stacks, FET or biosensor charge sensing, and low-noise electrical measurement
- Experience with cleanroom process design and electron-beam lithography
- Experience with nanoscale electromechanical characterization
- Ability to collaborate with molecular-design and controls colleagues
Responsibilities
- Design and validate the electrostatic drive stack
- Design a field-effect sensor and low-noise readout
- Define the full device stack and direct fabrication with cleanroom partners
- Characterize voltage-displacement response, reversibility, hysteresis, and force-displacement
- Ensure the measurement toolchain resolves the required quantities