Openings

1. Postdoctoral Associate (no current openings)

At this time, there are no funded postdoctoral openings in the group. Dr. Yoon may consider exceptional postdoctoral researchers with independent fellowship or funding plans, particularly applicants who can help establish new experimental capabilities.

Strong postdoctoral candidates would ideally have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Design & implementation of optoelectronic characterization systems
• Simulation-guided radiovoltaics devices
• Local or nanoscale measurements and analysis based modeling

Candidates at this level are expected to contribute to proposal development, experimental infrastructure, student mentoring, and publication-quality research.

2. PhD Students 🫧

We are always seeking talented PhD applicants who are interested in semiconductor materials and devices for broadband direct energy conversion.

Successful candidates must hold an MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field. Ideal candidates are team-oriented, persistent, careful
in experimental work, and strongly committed to long-term research projects.

Experience or strong preparation in the following areas is a plus:

• Semiconductor materials and devices (required)

• Micro/nanofabrication and cleanroom process development
• Electron microscopy, electrical, and/or optical characterizations
• Radiation effects, defect production, defect migration, or device degradation
• Programming and simulation (e.., COMSOL, MATLAB, Python/C)

Full financial support may be available for qualified PhD students through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, or a combination of these routes, subject to admission, funding availability, and departmental policies.

International applicants are very welcome. All PhD applicants should apply through the official graduate application system first. After the application has been successfully submitted, please email Dr. Yoon with:

• Your CV or resume
• A brief description of why you want to join the Yoon Research Group
• A short summary of relevant research experience, experimental skills, and technical preparation

Domestic applicants are also encouraged to explore external fellowship routes. Applicants interested in fellowship-supported pathways should mention their eligibility, preparation, and fellowship plans in their email.

Generic email inquiries will not be considered.

All graduate applications should be submitted here.
For more information, please see ECE Graduate Admissions.

3. MS and BS/MS Students 🔎

MS-level research opportunities are available for EE/CE students, including students from Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, other engineering disciplines, and Physics. This pathway is especially appropriate for BS/MS students and domestic MS students who want to build a sustained research record in semiconductor materials, devices, micro/nanofabrication, and electron microscopy.

Students may participate through:

• Project-Option (6 credit hours)
• Thesis-Option (10 credit hours)

Because paid RA positions for MS students are generally limited, these options provide a structured way to receive academic credit, research mentoring, and a defined project outcome even when RA funding is unavailable.

A strong understanding of semiconductor materials and devices is required (e.g., ECE 3200).

In general, MS students begin as volunteers or through project/thesis credit. For outstanding domestic students, financial support may become available after a trial period (e.g., two semesters), depending on research progress, project needs, and funding availability.

If you are interested in joining the group after completing at least one semester at the University of Utah, please email Dr. Yoon with:

• An unofficial transcript
• A resume or CV
• A brief statement explaining why you want to join the group
• A short description of relevant coursework, including microfabrication, semiconductor devices, microscopy, or programming experience

Generic email inquiries will not be considered.

For more information, please see
ECE MS Degree Information.

4. Undergraduate Students 📝

We welcome highly motivated undergraduate students who are interested in experimental semiconductor research. Undergraduate research in the group is intended as a training and outreach pathway and can also serve as a long-term path toward BS/MS, MS, or PhD research.

Students interested in the group are strongly encouraged to take ECE 3200 in the Spring,
when Dr. Yoon teaches the course. This helps students learn the technical style and expectations of the group, and it allows both the student and the lab to evaluate research fit.

After a good fit and project direction are identified, students may participate as volunteers, register for research credit, such as ECE 3970, pursue UROP, participate in REU-type opportunities, or develop projects through Senior Projects.

• Freshman/sophomore years: build foundations in circuits, programming, materials, and physics; meet faculty; and learn what experimental research involves. Prepare for UROP.

• Junior year: (i) take ECE 3200 in Spring, (ii) consider ECE 3970 research credit, and (iii) prepare for UROP, and/or (iv) start Senior Project.

• Senior year: (i) complete a Senior Project, (ii) continue research credit, (iii) pursue UROP or fellowship-supported research, and (iv) prepare for a possible BS/MS, MS, or PhD pathway.

Familiarity with software tools such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python/C, SOLIDWORKS, COMSOL, Lumerical, or related tools is a plus. If you are interested in joining the group, please email Dr. Yoon with:

• An unofficial transcript
• Your resume
• A brief description of your research interests
• A short explanation of relevant coursework, including ECE 3200 if completed or planned

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