Postdoc in Time-Resolved X-ray Nanoimaging for Semiconductor Reliability, EPFL at PSI (Villigen, Switzerland)
Job Description
This semiconductor postdoc in Switzerland is with EPFL’s Laboratory for Nanoscale X-ray Metrology. The lab works at the Swiss Light Source at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). You will build methods that watch tiny defects grow inside 3D chips using X-rays.
At a glance
- Position: Postdoctoral researcher, 100% (reference 2418)
- Where: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
- Lab: Laboratory for Nanoscale X-ray Metrology (NXM), led by Prof. Tomas Aidukas
- Pay: Salary under EPFL regulations (no figure in the ad)
- Duration: Funded for 2 years, may be renewed; yearly contracts
- Start: 1 December 2026 (flexible)
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 14 November 2026)
About the X-ray nanoimaging postdoc
- Develop ways to collect and rebuild 3D X-ray images that use slow change over time and the known layout of chips
- Detect nanoscale defects as they grow, such as dielectric breakdown and electromigration
- Use as few X-ray measurements as possible, to limit radiation damage
- Start from an existing ptychography and tomography pipeline, and focus mainly on algorithms
- Run experiments at the cSAXS beamline of the upgraded Swiss Light Source and at other facilities
The post is part of NEXUS-3D, a Swiss National Science Foundation Starting Grant project. A companion postdoc on data-driven X-ray nanoimaging is already listed on ResearchJobs.in. The ad says one application covers both posts.
Why this role matters
Chips are moving to 3D transistors and stacked, bonded dies. Faults inside them are hard to see without cutting them open. X-ray imaging that tracks a fault as it grows could change how chip reliability is tested.
What EPFL is looking for
- A PhD in physics, engineering, computer science or a related field
- Experience with inverse problems and 3D reconstruction, such as tomography or laminography
- Strong Python, and GPU processing of large datasets
- Good English
Nice to have
- Ptychography or coherent diffractive imaging
- Sparse sensing, optimisation or Bayesian experimental design
- Machine learning for imaging
- Synchrotron experiments
- Knowledge of semiconductor devices or metrology
Pay and location
The ad gives no salary figure. Pay follows EPFL regulations. The post is funded for 2 years and may be extended. Contracts are fixed term and renewed each year. EPFL is the employer, and the work is based at PSI in Villigen. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the post is filled.
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 14 November 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our postdoc jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)
Official advertisement: careers.epfl.ch
How to prepare for this application
- Apply only through EPFL's online platform with one PDF: a cover letter (up to 2 pages), CV, research statement (up to 3 pages) and 3 referees
- Prepare one reconstruction problem you solved, with the forward model, the solver and the GPU speed-ups
- Revise ptychography basics and how it combines with tomography
- Read about electromigration and dielectric breakdown so you can speak to chip engineers
- Think about how prior knowledge of a chip's design could cut the number of X-ray measurements
About EPFL and PSI
EPFL became a Swiss federal institute of technology in 1969 and is based in Lausanne. The Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen is Switzerland's largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences. It runs the Swiss Light Source synchrotron.
