A transistor includes a channel layer including a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) material, an encapsulation layer on a first portion of the channel layer, a gate electrode above the encapsulation layer, a gate dielectric layer between the gate electrode and the encapsulation layer. The transistor further includes a source contact on a second portion of the channel layer and a drain contact on a third portion of the channel layer, where the gate structure is between drain contact and the source contact.