Process Engineer polymer lab

What you will do

Miniaturization of system size is a driving force in most electronics applications. The continuous scaling of IC’s, and the advent of more compact system integration technologies make this possible. Within its affiliation programs and bilateral initiatives, imec contributes to the state of the art in a significant manner. Thanks to recent advances in 3D integration, wafer-level packaging and MEMS, novel types of components with small form factors and an increased number of functionalities are emerging. These novel components also require new packaging solutions. To support the growing interest in these activities, we are looking for a Process Engineer to run our polymer lab.

You will be a member of imec’s Lab Operations & Coordination department, and more specifically of the XLSO group (Xplore Lab Support and Operations). You will work in a team of 23 people with whom you interact daily.  This team has a mix of process and hardware experts and maintains a lab that has approximately 500 registered users. Moreover, you will work in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment in close cooperation with researchers, hardware engineers, process experts, material and equipment vendors, industrial assignees and colleagues working in the Bonding, Assembly and Wafer level packaging team (BAW) of the Materials, Transfer and Assembly group (MATA) which is responsible for developing processes requested by the process integration departments running imec’s CORE and CMORE programs.

You will be responsible for running a polymer lab with the focus on 3D-heterogeneous/packaging applications (3D integrated systems, image sensors, photonics, biomedical devices, quantum computing,...). You will be involved in research activities where polymer characterization is required. As such, you will contribute to the generation and management of a polymer expertise center, where polymer characterization (thermo-mechanical properties) in function of applications is key. 

More specifically, you will:

• Define, organize and validate material (polymers, inorganic dielectrics, metallurgy) & processes during development. 
• Look for specific metrology solutions to characterize these materials.
• Actively contribute to the research programs (e.g. 3D program, imagers & specialty component program, quantum computing program) and joint development programs with external partners. 
• Work cross-functionally with the integration/process support/hardware teams and industrial partners.
• Report about your work to internal and external partners, and via conference / journal publications.
• Start fundamental research activities on new materials needed for new projects and perform characterization and failure analysis of materials used.
• Monitor industry trends and innovations, apply scientific knowledge and adapting to imec research programs and activities.
• Interface with device engineers and researchers to identify future needs and trends.
• Coordinate and implement the non-standard work in IMEC’s fab organization together with fab process engineers and the pilot line. This includes coordination of the transfer of developed processes and tools to support and operational teams.
• Start-up of new equipment.

You will be coached on-the-job by senior researchers.

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 preferably have a master’s degree in chemistry, physics, material science or engineering. Relevant experience within a research or an industrial environment is an advantage. 
• Knowledge of polymer properties & material parameters is a must. 
• Simulation skills (using programs like Ansys or comsol) is beneficial.
• Foundry or OSAT experience in wafer-to-wafer bonding and semiconductor materials background including characterization / FA is beneficial.
• Know-how in data analysis and massive data treatment with self-programmed scripts (Matlab, Python...) and in JMP is an asset.
• You will require project management skills and a strong capability to work independently with a focus on quality for your deliverables. 
• You will actively participate in cross-functional teams and projects when required, utilizing scientific and engineering skills to enhance the team capability. 
• You are an enthusiastic and creative team player with strong networking, communication and reporting skills who likes to work in a multicultural team of imec researchers, PhD students and industrial researchers and will frequently interact with clients.
• You work autonomously, well-organized, with good attention to details and set high standards in everything you do.
• You are interested in working hands-on in a clean room environment.
• Since your job consists of a variety of activities, depending on the needs of the imec research programs, a flexible attitude towards your tasks is required. 
• 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.