Nanoelectronics & Device-Physics Engineer

ABOUT ASTERA

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.

Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, projects supported by Astera operate like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here https://astera.org/vision/.

POSITION SUMMARY

The 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: volt...