Applications are invited as soon as possible for a PhD position available in the area of Physical Electronics in Electrical Engineering at Old Dominion University. 

• Ph.D.
• Physical Electronics
• Semiconductors
• Materials analysis
• US National Science Foundation

This National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored research seeks to develop a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) with higher sensitivity than current commercial SIMS and also with better depth resolution. The key technological improvement is the use of multicharged ion pulses generated from a compact laser ion source as the primary beam. Current commercial SIMS instruments use singly-charged ions or clusters for the primary beam, which causes secondary ion ejection by collisional sputtering from the surface of a sample. Multicharged primary ions with high potential energy will cause potential sputtering in addition to collisional sputtering, in which the ionization probability can be two-to-three orders of magnitude higher. The ionization probability determines the ultimate sensitivity limit of SIMS and the minimum amount of sputtered sample material needed to achieve a detectable signal. This is an interdisciplinary research and development involving faculty in electrical engineering and physics working in collaboration with a senior researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The instrumentation development will involve working with a charged particle trajectory code, using laser-plasma as an ion source, developing ion beam components, and studying ion-surface interactions. Project applications besides SIMS include ion deposition and implantation. Candidates with M.S. in electrical engineering, physics, or materials science are preferred.

Applicants will receive tuition and stipend as a graduate research assistant. All outstanding candidates will be considered. To apply, please send a CV including a summary of research interests to Prof. Hani Elsayed-Ali, helsayed@odu.edu. The expected start date is May 2024.

• EEO/AA Policy

  University Non-Discrimination Statement

  Old Dominion University does not discriminate in admissions, treatment, employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective styles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, family medical and genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability, as required by The Civil Rights Act of 1964; The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; The Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Virginia Human Rights Act; the Governor's Executive Order Number One (2018); and other state or federal laws and university policies (1005). ODU prohibits sexual and sex-/gender-based misconduct, discrimination, harassment and interpersonal violence, including sexual assault. ODU also prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

  As an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, ODU promotes the full realization of employment opportunity for all persons, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans. ODU bases all employment decisions only on job requirements. These efforts apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion and compensation.

  Any member of the ODU community has the right to raise concerns or file a complaint regarding discrimination without fear of retaliation. Any and all inquiries regarding the application of this statement and related policies may be referred to the Director of Equity and EO/AA Marcus Porter.