Postdoc in Data-Driven X-ray Nanoimaging for Semiconductor Metrology at EPFL (Swiss Light Source, PSI)

Job Description

This postdoc in semiconductor metrology at EPFL’s new Laboratory for Nanoscale X-ray Metrology develops reconstruction and acquisition methods that use a chip’s known design to find buried defects from as few X-ray measurements as possible. The team is based at the upgraded Swiss Light Source synchrotron at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen.

At a glance

• Position: Postdoctoral researcher, 100%, fixed term (EPFL reference 2417)
• Where: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen, Switzerland; employed by EPFL
• Duration: Two years, with a possible extension; one-year contracts renewed annually
• Start: Contract start date 1 November 2026; the ad says the start is flexible
• Apply: open until filled (re-checked 24 October 2026)

What the semiconductor metrology postdoc works on

• Build an acquisition and reconstruction framework that uses the known geometry, composition and layout of chips as prior information
• Work on two linked inverse problems: reconstructing projections from thousands of diffraction patterns, then the volume from many rotation angles
• Find the minimum number of diffraction patterns and projections needed to detect a defect, and whether defects can be found without resolving them
• Start with existing experimental datasets and extend the group’s reconstruction pipeline
• Run experiments at the cSAXS beamline of the Swiss Light Source and at other synchrotrons

Why this role matters

Chips are moving to 3D transistors and stacked, hybrid-bonded devices, where buried defects cannot be seen from the surface. X-ray nanoimaging can already resolve single transistors but is far too slow for inspection. Asking how a structure differs from its design, rather than imaging it from scratch, could cut measurement time sharply, and this post is where that idea is turned into a working method. It sits in the SNSF Starting Grant project NEXUS-3D. A companion postdoc on time-resolved imaging is advertised at the same time; one application can cover both.

What EPFL is looking for

• A PhD in physics, engineering, computer science or a related field
• Strong scientific programming in Python and experience processing large datasets on GPUs
• Experience with inverse problems and 3D reconstruction for tomography, laminography or a closely related method
• Excellent written and spoken English

Nice to have

• Coherent diffractive imaging, especially ptychography
• Sparse sensing, optimisation or Bayesian experimental design
• Machine learning for imaging
• Synchrotron experience, or knowledge of semiconductor devices or metrology

Pay and location

The ad offers a fully funded two-year postdoc on standard EPFL terms but does not state a salary; EPFL publishes its postdoc salary scale on its website. You are employed by EPFL and work at the Swiss Light Source at PSI in Villigen.

How to apply

Apply through the official EPFL job posting. EPFL’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 24 October 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Send one PDF with a cover letter (up to 2 pages), a CV, a research statement (up to 3 pages) and three referees; say in the cover letter if you also want to be considered for the time-resolved position. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.

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