Researcher Thermal Mitigation Solutions 

What you will do

The Thermal Modeling and Characterization team's R&D activities focus on the understanding of the thermal behavior and cooling needs in electronic systems, at all relevant length scales from the device level to the system level, for a wide range of applications. To support the imec technology programs and projects, we characterize the thermal performance of new technologies, improve the thermal design and develop novel, integrated heat spreading solutions, using a combination of numerical modeling and experimental thermal characterization techniques. 

Due to the combination of continued device technology miniaturization, increasing power density, expanding system functionality and reduced effective thermal conductivity at nanoscale, thermal-aware selection and assessment of materials and device geometries become crucial to efficiently evacuate and spread heat across multiple length scales and to keep junction temperatures below safe limits. 

As a researcher thermal mitigation solutions, you will work in close collaboration with integration engineers to identify best candidates for integrated heat spreading materials, and contribute to the development of holistic thermal management of future technology nodes and system applications. 

In this position, you will: 

• Carry out thermal simulations of CFET integration schemes and thermal improvement options 
• Simulate thermal impact of materials with higher thermal conductivity at different integration levels (CFET, MOL, BEOL, BSPDN) 
• Derive target values for thickness and thermal conductivity for candidate thin film heat spreaders to be tested experimentally 
• Post-process experimental data obtained through thin film thermal conductivity metrology, and develop mitigation solutions based on those characterization results. 

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 MSc or PhD degree in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics, preferably PhD. 
• You have a strong background in thermal simulations with TCAD or FEM tools such as Synopsys. 
• You are aware of models/tools that simulate heat transport effects at small scales and have hands-on experience with general-purpose data processing tools such as Matlab/Octave. 
• You are a team player and are eager to work in an interdisciplinary team. 
• You are fluent in English and have good communication skills to report findings and interact with various research groups and project partners. 
• You are flexible in this challenging environment where priorities can switch easily. 
• You like to try new approaches and you have a critical mindset. 

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.