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Postdoctoral Appointee - Atomic Layer Deposition for X-ray Optics Fabrication

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, ILFull-time / Temporary$73–121K/yrSeen 6 days agoSeen in employer's feed 6 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$73–121K/yr
Location
Lemont, IL
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Full-time / Temporary
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate

Job overview

Argonne National Laboratory’s X-ray Science Division seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to develop and optimize atomic layer deposition processes for thick multilayer structures on flat and patterned substrates. The appointee will characterize films, contribute to ALD reactor design and commissioning, develop deposition metrology, and help test diffractive optics at the Advanced Photon Source. The role involves collaboration with researchers across Argonne divisions.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Atomic Layer DepositionPrecursor ChemistryALD Process DevelopmentThin-Film CharacterizationEllipsometryReflectometryMicroscopyElectron MicroscopyScanning Electron MicroscopyTransmission Electron MicroscopyWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationIndependent WorkCollaborationReaction KineticsThin-Film MetrologyNanofabricationLithographyDeep Reactive-Ion EtchingMicrofabrication

Qualifications

Ph.D. In Related FieldPh.D. Completed Within 0-5 YearsPeer-Reviewed Publications

Full job description

Lemont, IL USA

Full time

423556

The X-ray Science Division (XSD) at Argonne National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to contribute to the development of advanced diffractive X-ray optics fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The successful candidate will develop and optimize ALD processes for the deposition of thick multilayer structures on both flat and patterned substrates, and will characterize film thickness, crystallinity, strain, and optical properties using a broad range of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectometry, transmission X-ray microscopy, and electron microscopy.

Additional responsibilities will include contributing to the specification, design, and commissioning of ALD reactor systems, as well as developing metrology methods to monitor and improve deposition accuracy during extended deposition campaigns. The appointee will also participate in the testing and evaluation of diffractive optics at the 1-BM beamline and possibly other beamlines of the Advanced Photon Source.

This position, within the XSD/Optics Group, offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of X-ray optics development in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with researchers across multiple Argonne divisions, including the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM), the Materials Science Division (MSD), and the Applied Materials Division.

Position Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field completed within the last 0-5 years.

  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor operation, precursor chemistry, or process development.

  • Experience with thin-film materials characterization techniques, such as ellipsometry, reflectometry, or microscopy, as well as electron microscopy techniques (SEM and/or TEM) for structural analysis.

  • Strong record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.

  • Good written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

  • Familiarity with reaction kinetics and chemistry for ALD processes.

  • Background in thin-film metrology instrumentation.

  • Experience with nanofabrication processes, including lithography, deep reactive-ion etching, or related microfabrication techniques.

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here (https://www.anl.gov/hr/healthcare-insurance) to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

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How this job compares

Set against the 811 open Postdoctoral Researcher jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$73–121K/yr
  • Illinois median$73–121K/yr36 salary ranges
  • US median$70–80K/yr395 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $97K, is close to the Illinois median midpoint ($97K) — in the middle half of Postdoctoral Researcher salary ranges in Illinois.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 37 open Postdoctoral Researcher jobs in Illinois and 811 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Illinois
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 0 to 3 years (55 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 675 of the 811 open Postdoctoral Researcher jobs (83%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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