Afm Application Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Business Unit: Oxford Instruments AFM

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (hybrid)

Job Title: Post Doctoral Industrial Scientist

Reports to: R&D Management

About Oxford Instruments:

Our purpose is to accelerate the breakthroughs that create a brighter future for our world. Our technology and scientific expertise enable our customers to discover and bring to market exciting new advances that drive human progress. We aim to be the scientific instrumentation partner in every significant lab and production facility across the world.

Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is manufacturer of nanotechnology instrumentation for industry and research. Specifically, we design, build and sell Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) which are used to analyze material topography, elasticity, conductivity and other properties.

We are part of the wider Oxford Instruments Group that includes the Imaging & Analysis Division. The I&A Division includes Andor Technology, our Electron Microscopy products, NanoIndentor, Raman products and NMR product lines.  Plasma Technology and X-Ray Technology are part of the Advanced Technology Division. With a sixty-year history, and fourteen Queen's Awards and a King's Award for Enterprise, our world-class products and technologies are helping our customers to address the greatest challenges of the 21st century

We want to empower our employees so that they innovate, support our growth and improve our productivity. We support them to make the right decisions and reach their full potential as they develop their careers at Oxford Instruments. Our ways of working are lived every day and are as follows:

• We start with the customer
• We succeed by being focused
• We make and keep our promises
• We work together as one team
• We help and trust each other to succeed

About the Opportunity:

The Post Doctoral Industrial Scientist will drive the development of innovative Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) applications. In this role, you will translate customer needs into practical measurement solutions, working across a wide range of scientific and industrial fields. You will collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and commercial teams to develop, validate, and launch new AFM capabilities that deliver real value to customers.

Key job responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Applications Development

• Lead the development of new AFM applications, with a strong focus on electrical measurements and emerging technologies.
• Apply AFM expertise across diverse areas such as:
  • Nanomechanics
  • Electronics and semiconductors
  • Batteries and photovoltaics
  • Chemical and correlative imaging
  • Measurement automation
• Understand customer workflows, challenges, and goals through direct engagement and literature review.
• Translate customer needs into clear technical requirements and measurement approaches.
• Drive innovation by developing new methodologies and generating intellectual property.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Solution Development & Execution

• Serve as the technical lead for application development projects.
• Design, perform, and analyze experiments to develop new measurement techniques.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and software developers to build and refine solutions.
• Develop test protocols and validation methods to ensure solutions are reliable and scalable.
• Create demonstration samples, workflows, and materials to showcase new capabilities internally and externally.

Customer & Commercial Engagement

• Support sales efforts through customer demonstrations and technical presentations.
• Train sales and applications teams on AFM systems and new capabilities.
• Present new developments at conferences, trade shows, and customer meetings.

Core Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of strong hands-on experience with AFM or related nanoscale characterization techniques.
• Experience in one or more relevant application areas (e.g., electrical measurements, semiconductors, energy materials, etc.).

• Extensive skill in high-level language programming such as PYTHON, IGOR or MATLAB

• Proven ability to design experiments and translate concepts into practical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, collaboration and communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities with a creative, solutions-oriented mindset. 

Salary:

In accordance with California law, the expected salary for this full-time, benefited position is between $75,000 - $90,000. The actual compensation will be determined considering factors such as relevant skills and experience and other factors permitted by law.

Oxford Instruments Perks and Benefits:

• Generous benefit packages - We offer our employees competitive health insurance options, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Our 401k program has options for saving both pre- and post-tax dollars for retirement.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) Work-life balance is a key part of our company culture here at OI, and we know that our employees do their best work when they can take the time they need to rest and recharge.
• Employees start with 4 weeks of PTO, which is accrued each pay period.
• Holidays - We recognize 12 holidays this year
• In addition to all the standard PTO options, Oxford Instruments proudly offers a generous and progressive paid family leave policy.
• Professional Development - Oxford Instruments supports you and your professional development with $5,250 available in annual tuition reimbursement after 6 months of service.

Oxford Instruments is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Oxford Instruments is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

E-Verify:

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the I-9 Form.

Note to recruitment agencies:

Oxford Instruments does not accept agency CV's. Please do not forward details to our jobs alias, Oxford Instruments employees or any other company location. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CV's.