Postdoc in Atomic-Scale Processing for Future Chips and Energy in Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) – Netherlands

Summary

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands is seeking three Postdoctoral Researchers for its Plasma & Materials Processing group. The roles focus on atomic-scale processing for future semiconductor, photonics, and energy technologies, with specific research directions in ALD for photonic integration, AI-assisted ALD, and ALD for next-generation energy storage. Candidates should hold a PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline and possess strong experience in thin-film deposition or semiconductor processing. The positions are full-time for two years, offering a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and an international research environment. The application deadline is October 11, 2026. Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, experience description, reference contacts, and a list of publications.

Key Facts

Position Type	Postdoctoral Researcher
Discipline	Applied Physics, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry
Research Area	Atomic-Scale Processing, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Photonic Integration, AI-assisted ALD, Energy Storage Technologies, Thin-Film Deposition, Semiconductor Processing, Data-driven Experimentation
Degree Required	PhD
Experience	Strong experience in thin-film deposition (ALD, CVD, PVD) and/or semiconductor processing; AI/ML experience for AI/ML-focused positions; relevant experience in photonics, energy materials, or data-driven/AI methods; experience or willingness to supervise students; strong project management skills.
Salary	Gross monthly salary of €4,422 to €5,760
Funding	PhotonDelta NGF program, EU Horizon project
Contract Duration	Two years
Language	English
Deadline	2026-10-11
Required Documents	Cover letter, Brief description of experience in ALD, semiconductor processing, thin-film deposition, and/or AI/ML, Curriculum vitae including a publication list, Contact information for three references, List of up to five self-selected best publications
Employer Address	Eindhoven, Netherlands, Postal Code: 5612 AZ

About the Project

The research focuses on achieving precise atomic-scale control of materials for future applications in electronics, photonics, semiconductor technology, and energy storage. Specific research directions include developing functional dielectric coatings for III–V nanophotonic structures using ALD, creating AI-assisted experimental workflows for oxide semiconductor deposition to accelerate process optimization, and designing thin films and interfaces for next-generation lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries and green electricity-driven electrolyzers using ALD.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality and independent academic research in atomic-scale materials processing.
• Develop and investigate thin-film deposition and semiconductor processing technologies.
• Work with atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), and related processing methods where relevant.
• Contribute to research in photonics, semiconductor materials, energy materials, or data-driven and AI-based experimentation.
• Develop scientific outputs and contribute to high-quality research publications.
• Supervise and coach PhD and Master's students.
• Collaborate actively with academic and industrial research partners.
• Manage complex research projects and deliver research activities within agreed schedules.
• Contribute to emerging research directions at the intersection of materials science, device physics, and data-driven experimentation.

Required Skills

• Strong ability to conduct high-quality academic research.
• Demonstrable research outputs and scientific achievements.
• Strong experience in thin-film deposition, such as ALD, CVD, or PVD, and/or semiconductor processing.
• AI/ML experience for candidates applying to the AI/ML-focused research position.
• Relevant experience in at least one area such as photonics, energy materials, or data-driven and AI methods.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary research team.
• Experience or willingness to supervise and coach PhD and Master's students.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to complete complex projects on schedule.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Good leadership and interpersonal skills.

Who Should Apply

Ambitious and motivated Postdoctoral Researchers with a PhD in applied physics, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, chemistry, or a comparable discipline. Candidates should have strong experience in thin-film deposition (ALD, CVD, PVD) and/or semiconductor processing, with specific expertise in AI/ML for relevant positions. They should also have experience or willingness to supervise students, strong project management skills, and excellent English communication skills.

Benefits

• Full-time employment for two years.
• Gross monthly salary of €4,422 to €5,760 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10.
• 8% holiday allowance.
• 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 days of standard annual leave based on a 38-hour working week, with the possibility of increasing this to 41 days through flexible working hours.
• Participation in the ABP pension scheme, with TU/e paying 70% of the pension premium and employees contributing 30%.
• Access to excellent technical research infrastructure.
• On-campus children's day care.
• Access to the TU/e Student Sports Center.
• Wellbeing support through OpenUp.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Allowances for commuting, working from home, and internet costs.
• Support from the TU/e Postdoc Association.
• Staff Immigration Team support for international candidates.
• Tax compensation through the Expat Scheme.
• Compensation for moving expenses.

About the Employer

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands is a strong semiconductor and nanomaterials research ecosystem. It offers an international and interdisciplinary research environment with opportunities to collaborate with academic and industrial partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Postdoctoral Researcher positions are available?

There are three Postdoctoral Researcher positions available.

What is the duration of the employment contract?

The employment contract is for two years on a full-time basis.

What is the gross monthly salary range for this position?

The gross monthly salary ranges from €4,422 to €5,760.

What are the main research areas for these positions?

The main research areas include ALD for Photonic Integration, Agentic AI for ALD, and ALD for Next-Generation Energy Storage.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit a cover letter, a brief description of relevant experience, a curriculum vitae with a publication list, contact information for three references, and a list of up to five self-selected best publications.

Is there support for international candidates?

Yes, there is support from the TU/e Staff Immigration Team, tax compensation through the Expat Scheme, and compensation for moving expenses.