Research Engineer in thin film coating and X-ray analysis

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About the job

As a research engineer, you will work with experimental fabrication and characterization of thin films and multilayers within Materialoptik at the Avdelningen för tunnfilmsfysik.

The work involves independent work with DC-magnetronsputtring in the coating systems Adam and Jessie. The tasks include planning and conducting coating experiments as well as operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrading of the coating and vacuum systems.

A central part of the work is the continued development of magnetic reference layers, MRL, for neutronreflektometri. The work builds upon previous development of Co- and CoTi-based reference layers and will, among other things, include the development and optimization of SiO2-based capping layers for MRL-substrates.

The work also includes structural characterization of the produced thin films, primarily with röntgenreflektometri, XRR, and röntgendiffraktion, XRD, as well as analysis and modeling of measurement data. Documentation, compilation, and scientific analysis of experimental results are included in the tasks. You will also participate in the preparation and authorship of scientific publications.

About you

We are looking for someone who has a great interest in experimental tunnfilmsfysik and who can work independently with advanced laboratory equipment. The tasks require a careful and systematic approach as well as a good ability to plan, execute, document, and analyze experimental work.

Since the work involves the operation and technical development of advanced vacuum and coating systems, practical problem-solving skills and the ability to independently identify and rectify technical problems are particularly important.

You must have:

• A Civilingenjörsexamen or equivalent advanced degree in teknisk fysik, materialvetenskap, nanoteknologi, or another relevant field for the position.
• Documented practical experience in the fabrication of thin films using DC-magnetronsputtring.
• Documented experience of independent work with UHV-based magnetronsputtring systems, including practical experience in the operation and handling of the coating system Jessie at Linköpings universitet.
• Experience in troubleshooting and practical maintenance of vacuum and coating systems.
• Documented experience of systematic optimization of sputtering parameters such as working pressure, magnetron power, substrate bias, and ion assistance.
• Experience in the fabrication and optimization of Co-, Ti-, and CoTi-based thin films and multilayers.
• Experience in the development and characterization of magnetic reference layers for polarized neutronreflektometri.
• Practical experience with röntgenreflektometri, XRR, for the characterization of thin films and interfaces.
• Experience in the analysis and modeling of XRR data with GenX.
• Experience with röntgendiffraktion, XRD, for structural characterization of thin films.
• Good ability to communicate scientific results orally and in writing in English.

It is meritorious if you have:

• Experience with CoTi-based magnetic reference layers and the development of protective capping layers.
• Experience with magnetic characterization using, for example, MOKE or SQUID.
• Experience with polarized neutronreflektometri and analysis of neutron reflectivity data.
• Experience working at large-scale neutron research facilities.
• Experience in scientific article work and compilation of experimental results for publication.

Your workplace

You will work at Enheten för materialoptik at the avdelningen för tunnfilmsfysik at Institutionen för fysik, kemi och biologi, IFM, at Linköpings universitet.

The activities include research and development within thin film-based X-ray and neutron optics, with a particular focus on the fabrication and characterization of advanced thin films and multilayers. The work is conducted in a research environment with access to advanced coating systems as well as extensive equipment for structural characterization of thin films.

https://liu.se/forskning/materialoptik

About the employment

Särskild visstidsanställning 100% for 4 months.

Start date according to agreement.

Salary and benefits

Linköpings universitet applies individual and differentiated salary setting, which is carried out in accordance with the current collective agreement (RALS/RALS-T) and the university's guidelines for salary formation.

We offer the possibility of remote work for part of your working time when the needs of the operations and the tasks allow for it.

Read more about benefits for employees https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner.

Union contact persons

Information about union contact persons, see https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande.

Application

Welcome to submit your application with CV and cover letter no later than September 9, 2026. You apply for this position by clicking the "Ansök" button below. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; it enriches and develops our operations. For us, it is fundamental to protect everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work at https://liu.se/artikel/lika-villkor/.

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