Justine Nyarige

PhD-trained Physicist and Experimental R&D Scientist with 8+ years of experience in experimental physics, advanced materials, vacuum systems, semiconductor processing, scientific instrumentation, and technology development. Currently serving as a Junior Group Leader and Postdoctoral Researcher at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), leading experimental R&D involving high-vacuum equipment, thin-film processing systems, advanced characterization instrumentation, process optimization, and multidisciplinary research projects. Extensive hands-on experience with high-vacuum systems, complex laboratory hardware, equipment operation and maintenance, experimental system troubleshooting, process development, experimental design, performance validation, and root-cause analysis.

Experienced in translating scientific requirements into experimental procedures, developing and optimizing operating conditions, diagnosing equipment and process problems, and using quantitative data to improve system performance and reproducibility. Strong background in experimental physics and semiconductor materials, with practical experience operating sophisticated instrumentation and developing experimental methodologies. Skilled in Python, MATLAB, R, OriginPro, and scientific data analysis, with a demonstrated ability to work independently on technically challenging problems and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Motivated to transfer this extensive experimental, vacuum, instrumentation, and system-development experience into cryogenic hardware and quantum technology R&D, with a strong interest in developing expertise in dilution refrigeration and ultra-low-temperature systems.

Junior Group Leader - Atomic Layer Deposition Group - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - Karlsruhe, Germany

(2023-04)

• Lead experimental R&D activities involving Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Plasma-Enhanced ALD (PEALD), vacuum systems, advanced laboratory equipment, and functional thin-film materials.
• Design and execute experimental campaigns to evaluate and optimize process performance, system stability, reproducibility, and material properties.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize sophisticated vacuum-based deposition systems and associated laboratory hardware.
• Diagnose equipment and process issues using systematic experimental approaches and root-cause analysis.
• Develop and optimize operating recipes and experimental procedures for semiconductor and functional-material systems.
• Evaluate process behavior, growth characteristics, equipment performance, and experimental reproducibility.
• Plan equipment utilization, experimental schedules, and research activities across multiple projects.
• Develop process-structure-property relationships using systematic experimentation and advanced characterization.
• Analyze experimental datasets to identify performance limitations and opportunities for process improvement.
• Develop SOPs, process documentation, technical reports, and experimental protocols.
• Train and supervise graduate students and researchers in equipment operation, experimental procedures, safety, and characterization techniques.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary research activities and collaborate with scientists and engineers from different technical backgrounds.
• Translate scientific requirements into practical experimental procedures and reproducible operating conditions.
• Lead technical investigations involving complex experimental systems and independently drive projects from experimental design through analysis and reporting.

Post-Doctoral Researcher - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - Karlsruhe, Germany

(2023-04)

• Conduct experimental research on semiconductor and metal-oxide materials, thin-film systems, and advanced optical and structural characterization.
• Develop and optimize ALD processes for TiO₂, Bi₂O₃, ZnO, CuO, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, and VO₂ thin films.
• Operate and maintain advanced deposition, vacuum, optical, and materials-characterization equipment.
• Troubleshoot deposition equipment and vacuum-system problems and implement corrective actions.
• Characterize film thickness, refractive index, uniformity, and structural properties using ellipsometry, XRR, XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM, XRF, and EDX.
• Design experimental methodologies for evaluating material and system performance.
• Investigate charge-carrier dynamics using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy.
• Correlate optical, structural, and material properties with experimental performance.
• Analyze complex experimental datasets using Python, MATLAB, R, and OriginPro.
• Develop SOPs and technical documentation for experimental systems and procedures.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams on the development and optimization of advanced functional materials.
• Conduct independent technical investigations and communicate results through scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations.

Post-doctoral researcher and Lecturer - University of Pretoria - Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa

(2021-09 - 2022-07)

• Conducted experimental research involving semiconductor materials, thin-film systems, and photovoltaic devices.
• Designed and executed experiments for synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of polymer solar cells.
• Operated advanced characterization systems including XRD, SEM, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, UV-Vis, TEM, solar simulators, transient absorption spectroscopy, and surface profilometry.
• Designed experimental procedures and analyzed system-performance data.
• Supervised PhD, MSc, and Honours research projects.
• Trained students in experimental techniques, laboratory procedures, instrumentation, and data analysis.
• Prepared and reviewed technical reports, manuscripts, dissertations, and research documentation.
• Taught undergraduate physics and laboratory courses.
• Supported research funding applications and technical documentation.

Physics laboratory teaching and Assistant Lecturer - University of Pretoria - Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa

(2018-06 - 2021-08)

• Conducted experimental research involving semiconductor and functional materials.
• Synthesized and characterized materials using chemical spray pyrolysis, spin coating, chemical bath deposition, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• Designed and executed laboratory experiments and research measurements.
• Analyzed experimental results and evaluated material and process performance.
• Demonstrated semiconductor and solid-state physics experiments to undergraduate and Honours students.
• Supervised laboratory activities and supported student research projects.
• Marked technical reports, examinations, and laboratory assessments.
• Served as Super Tutor for undergraduate physics modules.

Physics Researcher and Teaching Assistant - University of Nairobi - Nairobi, Kenya

(2014-10 - 2016-09)

• Conducted extensive structural, optical and electrical analysis of films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique using Origin Pro, PUMA, SCOUT and MATLAB software
• Analyzed data using Raman Spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR Shimadzu Spectrophotometer, and Alpha step stylus machines
• Taught and demonstrated experiments in the Laboratory for undergraduate Physics students
• Graded laboratory reports of the experiments done
• Taught post-high school course in Physics

PhD - Physics (Semiconductor Physics, Material Science and Nanostructured Materials) - University of Pretoria (2018-02 - 2021-05)

Master of Science - Physics (Semiconductor Physics and Material Science) - University of Nairobi (2014-09 - 2017-09)

Bachelor of Science - Physics and Mathematics - University of Nairobi (2009-10 - 2013-08)