Research Fellow
Research Fellow (PhD), Optical, Surface & Thin-Film Characterization
Materium Technologies Inc. New Jersey (Hybrid, Laboratory-Based Role)
About Materium
Materium Technologies is a New Jersey advanced materials startup commercializing a new class of self-assembled nanocomposite coatings and films for photonics, microelectronics, semiconductor packaging, and sustainable manufacturing. Our platform combines entropy-driven self-assembly, pioneered at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, with machine-learning-guided formulation design to create multifunctional thin films with tunable optical, dielectric, thermal, and barrier properties. Materium collaborates with Princeton, Rutgers, Berkeley Lab, Rowan University and NJIT.
Position Overview
Materium is seeking an exceptional early-career PhD scientist in chemistry, materials science, or physics to lead experimental characterization of our self-assembled nanocomposite coatings and thin films. This role is built around hands-on wet-lab synthesis and processing, paired with rigorous optical, surface, and thin-film metrology, and the computational fluency (MATLAB or Python) needed to turn instrument data into structure-property insight. The Fellow will focus on:
- Wet-lab formulation and thin-film processing of nanocomposite coatings
- Optical characterization (ellipsometry, UV-Vis-NIR, and related spectroscopic methods)
- Surface and thin-film structural characterization (AFM, SAXS, SEM/TEM)
- Data analysis, automation, and modeling in MATLAB or Python
- Scale-up support toward pilot manufacturing
The Fellow will work closely with co-founder Dr. Sneha Sreekumar, Chief Scientific Officer, and will collaborate with national laboratory, universities, and industry partners. This is an opportunity to help shape a potentially transformative materials platform at an early commercialization stage. The role offers exposure not only to advanced materials R&D, but also entrepreneurship, national laboratory collaboration, pilot manufacturing, and commercialization strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Materials Formulation and Thin-Film Development
- Carry out wet-lab synthesis and formulation of polymer nanocomposite coatings involving block copolymers, nanoparticles, and functional additives.
- Execute solution-based deposition processes - spin coating, spray coating, dip coating, and related methods.
- Investigate structure–property relationships governing optical response, surface morphology, and barrier performance.
- Support machine-learning-guided formulation optimization in collaboration with the modeling team.
Optical, Surface, and Thin-Film Characterization
Develop and apply characterization approaches using tools such as:
- Ellipsometry and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy
- Raman and FTIR spectroscopy
- AFM
- SEM/TEM
- SAXS
- XPS (surface composition) and profilometry
- Thermal analysis (DSC/TGA)
- Non-destructive evaluation methods
Build and maintain MATLAB- or Python-based pipelines for data reduction, model fitting (e.g., ellipsometric modeling, peak fitting), and visualization.
Target project metrics include:
- Sub-30 μm coating control
- Low-defect coatings
- Tunable optical performance
- High dielectric and barrier performance
- Reproducible formulations suitable for scale-up
Scale-Up and Commercial Translation
- Help generate prototype samples for external validation and customer engagement.
- Support transfer of laboratory formulations toward scalable coating processes, including potential roll-to-roll and spray coating approaches.
- Contribute to process windows and early manufacturing protocols.
Collaboration and Research Execution
- Work with academic and national lab collaborators.
- Contribute to experimental design, data analysis, technical reports, publications, and intellectual property development.
- Document characterization methods and analysis code so results are reproducible by other team members.
- Help mentor students, interns, or junior researchers participating in project activities.
Required Qualifications
Candidates should have, or be close to completing, a PhD in:
- Chemistry (physical, analytical, polymer, inorganic or materials-focused)
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Physics (applied or condensed matter)
- Chemical Engineering
- A closely related field
Strong candidates will have hands-on experience in several of the following:
- Wet-lab synthesis, formulation, or solution processing of polymers, nanoparticles, or thin films
- Optical characterization (ellipsometry, UV-Vis-NIR, Raman/FTIR, or related spectroscopic methods)
- Surface and thin-film characterization (AFM, XRD, SEM/TEM, XPS, profilometry)
- Scripting and data analysis in MATLAB or Python (instrument automation and model fitting a plus)
- Materials characterization workflows that connect processing conditions to optical, structural, or barrier performance
- Data-driven materials research or machine learning (preferred but not required)
Preferred Research Backgrounds
Particular interest in candidates with experience in:
- Thin-film optics or photonic materials
- Surface science and surface-sensitive spectroscopy
- Polymer chemistry and nanochemistry
Eligibility
This position is intended to be supported through New Jersey's Innovation Research Fellowship Program (IRFP), administered by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Applicants must meet program eligibility requirements, including:
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or a pending Form I-485 with a valid immigrant visa petition and EAD
- Candidates on or seeking F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) are not eligible
- Recent PhD graduate (within the past 12 months) or advanced doctoral candidate near dissertation defense, with an interest in industrial research and commercialization
- Preference given to graduates of New Jersey institutions
Compensation
- Full-time W-2 position
- Year 1 starting salary: up to $85,000 (consistent with IRFP Year 1 funding)
- Salary increase in year 2 consistent with performance
Contact
Sneha Sreekumar, sneha@materiumtech.com, Scott Daniel, CEO, scott@materiumtech.com