Device and Technology Optimization Researcher 

What you will do

Advanced semiconductor technologies are pushing the limits of both design and technology capabilities, resulting in complex device architectures to achieve ever better power, performance and area (PPA) trade-offs. Pathfinding research on these advanced technologies requires precise modeling at different abstraction levels. Optimizing of advanced technologies and devices requires a deep understanding of both design and technology aspects. 

In this position, you will be part of the imec department, leading pathfinding of next generations semiconductor technologies, modeling and innovating with the most advanced CMOS devices and systems, in logic and memory technologies.  
As Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) Researcher, you will be part of the Technology Research, Assessment, and Co-optimization Exploration (TRACE) team. This team takes a device-technology centric approach to pathfinding for future technologies in logic and memory. 
In this role, you will help the modeling of logic standard cells, memory bit cells, and power components. Based on the layouts and integration schemes, 3D structures are simulated in TCAD then used to produce electrical compact models for both the device and the RC parasitics due to the metal interconnects. These models are then used in circuit simulations to drive the optimization of future technologies through device-level Power-Performance-Area benchmarking. 
In this role, you will thus interact closely with device physics experts, integration engineers, technology and design experts. In addition, you will work closely with colleagues doing block level to full place-and-route evaluations of these technologies, working together to find multidisciplinary opportunities for improvements across design and technology. 

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You have a PhD or Master’s in Electronics or Electrical Engineering, or relevant field. 
• You have a strong multidisciplinary interest, spanning from design to device physics and integration technology. 
• You are detail-oriented but are also comfortable in critical thinking and taking decisions to navigate the changing R&D demands 
• You have a basic understanding of advanced CMOS technologies, semiconductor fabrication processes and devices, as well as digital and/or memory design 
• Experience with code development in Python is a major benefit. 
• Experience with TCAD simulation tools and electronic circuit simulations is favorable. 
• You deeply care about customer satisfaction and quality of the delivered results. 
• You are a strong team player and a good communicator. Sharing the progress of tasks, seeking feedback from your colleagues, and acting as a soundboard, is important to you. 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.