Postdoctoral Researcher in Novel SWIR and Room-Temperature MWIR CQD Photodetectors | King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Job Description

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position to develop novel SWIR and exploratory room-temperature MWIR photodetectors based on Colloidal Quantum Dots (CQDs) . The position focuses on device architecture design, charge-transport-layer engineering, dark-current suppression, metasurface integration, optical-field manipulation, and low-noise detector characterization.

Project Scope:
The project aims to establish a materials-to-device platform using InAs-, InSb-, Ag₂Te-, and extended-SWIR PbS/PbSe-based CQDs, with emphasis on surface reconstruction, ligand engineering, precursor chemistry, energetic band alignment, low-trap-density CQD solids, and novel infrared photodetector architectures.

Key Objectives:

• Design novel infrared photodetector architectures integrating CQD thin films with metasurfaces, optical cavities, plasmonic resonators, and other light-management structures
• Develop high-performance SWIR CQD photodetectors using III–V CQDs and related materials
• Explore room-temperature MWIR detection using narrow-bandgap CQDs and heterostructures
• Design device architectures that suppress dark current and enhance photocarrier extraction
• Study charge transport, recombination, noise, response speed, and operational stability
• Develop photodiode and LED platforms for infrared detection
• Establish quantitative structure–property–device relationships in collaboration with surface-chemistry postdoc

Responsibilities:

• Fabricate CQD infrared photodetectors using solution-processed thin films
• Optimize device structures, transport layers, electrodes, and interfacial layers
• Measure and analyze responsivity, EQE, detectivity, dark current, noise spectral density, linear dynamic range, response time, and stability
• Investigate dark-current mechanisms, trap-assisted transport, carrier mobility, and recombination dynamics
• Develop strategies for room-temperature SWIR and MWIR operation
• Collaborate with CQD chemistry team to correlate ligand chemistry and surface passivation with device performance
• Prepare high-quality manuscripts and present results at conferences

Expected Contributions:

• Work independently while contributing to collaborative research program
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and reproducible protocols
• Develop mechanistic understanding beyond empirical optimization
• Publish in high-impact journals in materials chemistry, nanoscience, and optoelectronics
• Mentor graduate students and contribute to strong laboratory culture
• Communicate results clearly in manuscripts, presentations, and group meetings

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in materials science, electrical engineering, applied physics, photonics, chemical engineering, or related field
• Strong experience in thin-film optoelectronic device fabrication
• Knowledge of photodetector physics, semiconductor junctions, charge transport, and recombination
• Experience measuring optoelectronic device performance
• Ability to analyze current–voltage behavior, spectral response, noise, and transient photocurrent
• Strong publication record in photodetectors, CQD devices, infrared optoelectronics, or semiconductor devices

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with CQD photodetectors, especially SWIR or MWIR detectors
• Experience with photodiodes, phototransistors, or photoconductive detectors
• Knowledge of low-noise measurements and detectivity analysis
• Experience with interfacial engineering and transport-layer optimization
• Familiarity with narrow-bandgap semiconductors (InAs, InSb, Ag₂Te, HgTe, PbS, PbSe, or related CQD systems)
• Experience with optical-field enhancement, cavity structures, plasmonic enhancement, or photogating mechanisms

Application Instructions:
We will only accept applications through Interfolio. Submissions by email to the PI or any team member will not be considered.

Application Deadline: December 3, 2026

Location: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia