Position SummaryThe Astera Institute is seeking a
Nanoelectronics & Device-Physics Engineer to design the electrostatic drive and the field-effect position sensor for a nanoscale actuator, and own its fabrication process and electrical characterization. This position reports to Dr. Jeremy Barton (Astera Institute Resident, Project Lead). This is a full-time position.
Responsibilities- Design the electrostatic drive stack - the patterned electrode, insulating (high-k) dielectric, and compliant polymer that deflect the charged DNA-origami plate - to targets of roughly 10 nm of plate displacement and about 100 pN of force at low drive voltage, and validate the dielectric's long-term reliability.
- Design a field-effect (FET) sensor that reads the mechanism's position electrically, including the low-noise readout needed to resolve nanometer-scale motion for closed-loop control.
- Define the full device stack - patterned electrode, high-k dielectric, compliant polymer, and the DNA-origami actuator - and direct its fabrication (including electron-beam lithography) at cleanroom partners.
- Characterize the finished device on the bench: voltage-displacement response, reversibility and hysteresis over many actuation cycles, and force/displacement by single-molecule AFM.
- Ensure the measurement toolchain can actually resolve the quantities being measured.
Qualifications and Experience- PhD or MS in electrical engineering, applied physics, materials science, or a related field, grounded in semiconductor device physics.
- Experience with high-k dielectrics and thin-film stacks, FET or biosensor charge sensing, and low-noise electrical measurement.
- Cleanroom process design and working familiarity with electron-beam lithography (running or directing fabrication).
- Comfort at the bench with nanoscale electromechanical characterization; AFM experience is a plus.
- Ability to partner closely with molecular-design and controls colleagues on a tightly integrated device.
LocationThis position is on site at our office in Emeryville, CA. Some travel may be required from time-to-time for in-person collaboration and work.
CompensationThe posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, commensurate with their experience and location.
- See the Benefits Summary.
Cultural Alignment- Surprising problem-solver - you love finding unexpected solutions to problems we don't even know we have, and see options where others only see constraints.
- Bias to action - you launch and iterate on thoughtful experiments rather than waiting for perfect plans, and you're energized by novel problems.
- High standards, internally driven - you hold yourself to the bar of building world-class public goods without benchmarking against others.
- Operate with the highest levels of integrity, judgment, and stewardship - you treat residents, peers, and vendors with genuine respect for their time and contributions.
- Embrace the tools that define great work today - Astera is building for an AI-driven future and equips the team accordingly; we see these as genuine force multipliers, not optional extras.
