Dry etch R&D Engineer  
Novel Materials & Metal Etch, Development/Research on Demand (DoDs, RoDs) 

Background 

Novel and complex materials are constantly being explored for designing new memories and achieving improved device performance in integrated chips. Achieving a good degree of patterning of these materials as well as understanding etchant-surface interactions, especially at scaled dimensions, become pivotal objectives. Imec is well-known to leverage their expertise on the patterning of such complex materials to their partners via different RoDs/DoDs. Therefore, we are looking forward to an R&D engineer who is willing to both explore etch related concepts for novel materials and deliver etch solutions to different stakeholders in a timely and organized manner. 

What you will do

As a dry etch R&D Engineer, you will be responsible for providing robust etch process solutions for different projects using imec’s 300 mm pilot line equipped with state-of-the-art dry etch tools and characterization amenities. You are also expected to understand and continue to expand your knowledge on the critical link between the different etch process steps that need development and the overall integration scheme in an project. In day-to-day operations, you are supported by systematic operational services provided within the organization. 

Your key responsibilities are: 

• Understanding different project goals and formulating etch development plans accordingly. Projects can be from both external and internal customers/stakeholders. Delivering on time or enabling proper communication with the right stakeholders in times of conflict is key.  
• Understanding the problem statement and then leading the etch process development in multiple projects: you design, conduct, analyze and report your experiments. 
• Driving and understanding any chemical/physical interactions between the etch process being developed and other process steps.  
• Exploring the boundaries of different etch processes or integration flows to identify new gaps and recognizing the need of new etch solutions or a new way of working with existing etch technologies. 
• Bringing critical etch processes to required maturity to enable technology transfer or platformization in the 300 mm p-line. This will include in-depth study of the etch process developed, its limits, defectivity studies originating from the processes, etc. 
• Transferring etch process ‘know-how’ to imec customers in a systematic manner. 
• Participating in joint learning projects with our partners and suppliers. You are expected to facilitate these partnerships, regularly share and present the common research results generated from these collaborations. 
• Build relations with other teams to work towards methodologies ensuring process robustness & process control. 
• Actively participate and contribute to future etch process strategies and the etch group roadmap.  
• A certain portion of the time may be dedicated to writing papers, patents and extending your network. This will depend on the scope of the project. 

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 Master of Science or Industrial Engineering degree, and/or a similar Ph.D. degree.  
• You have a strong technical background with hands-on experience in the field of dry etch. 
  
  • 3+ years (MSc) 
  • 1+ years (PhD) 
• Knowledge of diverse technologies like advanced Logic, memories or 3D/OIO is appreciated. 
• We are looking forward to a motivated and enthusiastic person, willing to take up the challenge of reaching time-critical and ambitious objectives. 
• You will require a strong capability to work independently with a high focus on quality. 
• At the same time, we are looking for a real team player who can easily develop strong interaction not only within the etch group but beyond etch as well. You collaborate with other groups at imec and with partners to enable the project goals. Prior experience in customer relations in an asset. 
• We appreciate your excellent planning and organizational skills to provide your research/development results in a timely & efficient manner. You show flexibility to change between different projects according to imec priorities. 
• We highly regard efficient communication and reporting competences to engage a wide range of audiences. 
• Given the international character of imec, good knowledge of (spoken and written) English is a must. 

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.