Postdoctoral Fellowship - Semiconductor Sustainability Process Engineer

POSTED: May 8, 2024
BUSINESS: IMEC
POSITION TYPE: Full-time
START DATE: Immediate Availability

Semiconductor Sustainability Process Engineer - imec USA/Purdue University Joint Postdoctoral Fellowship 

Area of work: 

Sustainable practices applied to wafer fabrication processes are of critical importance to the IC industry and to the world. Companies that use IC chips cannot meet their netzero commitments without wafer fabs actively reducing their environmental footprint. Since the IC industry relies on complex processes that are difficult to change once introduced to manufacturing, we must invest aggressively in eliminating problematic chemicals as early as possible in the development cycle. PFAS is a molecule used throughout the IC industry, including in the advanced lithography processes. Since PFAS bio-accumulates and has been proven toxic to humans; it must be eliminated from semiconductor manufacturing or, at a minimum, contained.  

To replace these hazardous materials, what exists in the process must be monitored. For PFAS, the waste stream from lithography tools will be targeted first. We have defined work to study the process chemicals, test and/or develop a sensor strategy for what is left after process, then explore reduction of these problematic materials. To support these efforts, imec is seeking a highly skilled process engineer postdoctoral fellow to lead these activities at our new imec USA site located on Purdue University’s campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. The role will be co-advised by an imec technical manager and a Purdue faculty member and link industry experts at imec with a vibrant team of researchers at Purdue University.  

As the successful candidate: 

You will offer experimental support to advance exploratory research on sensor technologies, process development and waste streams. Your initial focus will involve coordinating the PFAS activities including identifying an appropriate waste stream together with imec researchers, identifying what reference metrology exists and what sensors could be applied, and finally testing the metrology methods. Finally filters and/or abatement could be explored.  

Sustainability will become a necessity for all semiconductor fabrication over time. This position will initially focus on PFAS waste streams, but comfort expanding into adjacent semiconductor process areas like etch and deposition will be beneficial. Your lab research activities will be validated and discussed with imec teams in the US, Belgium, and Purdue University. 

Who you are: 

• Recently completed (or soon to complete) a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry, with relevant experience. 
• Semiconductor process experience and/or experience with fluorinated gases and PFAS would be helpful. 
• Familiarity with chemical characterization is a bonus. For example: liquid, ion, and gas chromatography, FTIR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry. 
• Hands-on experience with advanced lab and clean-room facilities. 
• Have published in top-level conferences and/or high-impact journals in the field. 
• Self-motivated, independent, innovative, results-driven, yet rigorous, and a team player with a clear focus on delivering outcomes. 
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills to bridge research groups and project partners in an interdisciplinary team. 
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills for seamless interactions with local and remote colleagues and partners. 
• Adaptable to an international collaboration that could include trips to imec headquarters in Belgium. 

This opportunity invites you to be part of pioneering research and innovation within an international, diverse, and dynamic environment. 

For more information and to apply, go to: https://www.imec-int.com/en/work-at-imec/job-opportunities/postdoctoral-fellowship-semiconductor-sustainability-process