PhD / PostDoc in GaN epitaxy (m/f/d) for our new large and strategic research initiative “NTC BRIGHT”

With around 15,000 students and 3,800 employees, the Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of Germany's leading institutes of technology. It stands for strategic and performance-oriented thinking and acting, relevant research, committed teaching, and the successful transfer of knowledge and technologies to the economy and society. We consistently advocate for family friendliness and equal opportunities.

Strong engineering and natural sciences are our core disciplines. These are closely interconnected with economics, social and educational sciences and humanities.

Our campus is located in the midst of one of the most research-intensive regions in Europe. We successfully collaborate with numerous research institutions all around the world.

The Institute of Semiconductor Technology is the speaker institute of the Nitride Technology Center NTC, one of the largest university-based research initiatives in the field of microLED technology. More than 20 groups are working on semiconductor materials, chip processing, device analysis and systems integration.

The Institute of Semiconductor Technology is opening the process for hiring candidates for the following position:

PhD / PostDoc in GaN epitaxy (m/f/d)
for our new large and strategic research initiative “NTC BRIGHT”
(up to TV-L E14, up to 100%)

The position focuses on developing epitaxial thin film stacks for GaN microLEDs and other nanophotonic devices including novel approaches to laser diodes. Positions are limited to up to five years, depending on starting date, and may be combined with a PhD program at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Physics of TU Braunschweig.

You will be part of the NTC BRIGHT consortium (“Bringing Light to Microelectronics”) with more than 20 teams working on nitride technology, chip processing, hybrid integration, CMOS design, and applications ranging from AI and optical communication to power electronics, sensing, and autonomous systems.

Prof. Andreas Waag, the speaker of the NTC BRIGHT initiative, is a leading expert in GaN technology and its applications. His team is devoted to device inspiring research and has made key contributions to many areas of GaN technology and its applications [Link]. This includes the exciting new field of optical neuromorphic processing enabled by novel GaN microLED modules.

You will join this visionary initiative at an early stage and take key positions for shaping GaN epitaxy and related material research. Your work will be embedded in a large consortium of more than 20 diverse teams from TU Braunschweig, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig PTB, and Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates from all over the world, who will contribute talent, creativity, and commitment to an extremely dynamic research environment.

NTC BRIGHT is based at the Institute of Semiconductor Technology (IHT), which houses dedicated cleanroom infrastructure through the Nitride Technology Center and Epitaxy Competence Center. We are part of the Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology (LENA), which provides cutting-edge micro- and nanoscale characterization tools. NTC BRIGHT is a member of the Cluster of Excellence QuantumFrontiers and the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS), as well as the Cluster of Excellence PhoenixD. We also maintain strong national and international collaborations.

Make a Difference by:

• playing a central role in our Epitaxy Team, by operating GaN MOCVD machines, performing material characterization and related activities
• collaborating closely with all relevant teams of NTC BRIGHT across institutions
• identifying promising novel applications and initiate technology transfer

You will gain valuable international experience, with the opportunity to conduct visits abroad, at our international partners, if desired. Besides these key tasks, you will have the opportunity to identify your own research area and publish extensively in leading scientific journals and participate in national and international conferences, in order to build your own scientific career. You may also be involved in teaching activities, including course preparation and supervision of student theses.

Your General Qualifications:

• A scientific university education (preferably Master or PhD degree) in the field of physics, electrical engineering, information technology or similar
• Excitement for close collaborations with industry and startups
• You are flexible, can perform under pressure and work well in a team
• You feel comfortable to work in an international and diverse team

Your Background in One or More of these Areas:

• III-V (and preferably GaN) or related material research
• MOCVD or related thin films methods (e.g. ALD, MBE)
• Material characterization (e.g. electrical transport, HRXRD, optical spectroscopy, etc.)
• Nanolithography, including electron-beam lithography & photolithography
• Chip processing & device characterization, microLED and laser test procedures

Our Benefits:

• Pay in accordance with the collective agreement TV-L, pay grade up to E14 with up to 100%, depending on position and on the assignment of tasks and fulfilment of personal requirements.
• A special payment at the end of the year as well as a supplementary benefit in the form of a company pension, comparable to a company pension in the private sector.
• Counting with the support of neighbored office teams from the Cluster of Excellence QuantumFrontiers, the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony, as well as the Institute of Semiconductor Technology.
• Interesting and diverse tasks in a pleasant working atmosphere with a friendly and motivated team.
• A workplace that is basically suitable for part-time work, although the position is to be filled full-time, as well as flexible working and part-time options and a family-friendly university culture, awarded the “Family-friendly university” audit since 2007.
• A wide range of continuing education and company health care programs as well as a vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere.
• Financial support to carry out research stays abroad.

What’s more to know:

We welcome applicants of all nationalities. At the same time, we encourage people with severe disabilities to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Please attach a form of evidence of your handicap to your application. We are also working on the fulfilment of the Central Equality Plan based on the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz—NGG) and strive to reduce under-representation in all areas and positions as defined by the NGG. Therefore, applications from women and diverse-gender individuals are particularly welcome in this case. The offer is subject to the condition of formal final approval by the funding agency.

The personal data will be stored for the purpose of processing the application. By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed electronically for application purposes in compliance with the provisions of data protection law. Further information on data protection can be found in our data protection regulations at https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/datenschutzerklaerungbewerbungen. Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Questions and Answers:

Do you have any questions? For more information, please contact +49 531 391 3761 (Dr. Jana Hartmann)

Closing date: 19.04.2026.

If we have aroused your interest, please send your application with informative documents in PDF format, preferably by e-mail to

jana.hartmann(at)tu-braunschweig.de 

or by post to

Technical University of Braunschweig
Institute of Semiconductor Technology
Attn: Dr. Jana Hartmann
Hans-Sommer-Str. 66
38106 Braunschweig

vom: 07.04.2026
gültig bis: 19.04.2026