Rafael Jaramillo

Rafael Jaramillo is the Stavros and Matoula Salapatas Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE). His research focuses on materials synthesis, opto-electronic technologies, and semiconductor device fabrication, particularly in chalcogenide compound semiconductors. He earned his BS and MS in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University, followed by a PhD in Physics from the University of Chicago (2008). After postdoctoral research at Harvard and MIT, he joined DMSE in 2015.

His research group explores chalcogenide perovskites, phase-change materials, and defect studies, with applications in photovoltaics, integrated photonics, and telecommunications. Key projects include molecular beam epitaxy for thin film synthesis and oxidation dynamics of materials like ZrS₂ and HfO₂. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2018) and the Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award (2010).

Scientific contributions include breakthroughs in BaZrS₃ thin films, tunable band gap alloys, and optomechanical control of 2D materials. His work bridges theory and experiment, emphasizing reproducible materials science. Current research trends involve deep learning-driven metrology and pressure-controlled oxidation mechanisms.

• Awards: NSF Early Career Award (2018), Rosalind Franklin Award (2010)
• Labs/Teams: Jaramillo Research Group at MIT
• Grants: NSF CAREER Award-funded research on chalcogenide materials