Senior Research Engineer or Principal Research Engineer - Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois

Job Description:

Senior Research Engineer or Principal Research Engineer




Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory




The Grainger College of Engineering




University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign



The Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for a senior research engineer or principal research engineer position. Reporting to the Director for Cleanroom Operations, the senior research engineer will perform research design and process verification, laboratory testing, equipment calibration and maintenance, foundry work, and user training to promote semiconductor epitaxial growth research activities related to the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) systems and other equipment. The principal research engineer will perform and take a lead role on similar duties with greater independence.



Senior Research Engineer




Duties and Responsibilities:



• Utilize and apply progressive research expertise and education to assist internal and external HMNTL cleanroom users to conduct research activities on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and ancillary equipment.


o Operate the Aixtron MOCVD reactor in the context of a facility that will be available to external users for epitaxial layer process development. Responsibilities include generation of cost data (materials, supplies, and personnel time) to enable generation of price quotes and invoices to customers of the reactor.


o Fabricate reproducible, high-quality semiconductor heterostructures for project and product devices by participating in the specification, costing, and installation of new fabrication process systems.


o Design research experiments and develop research techniques and participate in and provide feedback during research focused meetings.


o Develop crystal growth recipes to meet engineering design specifications, which may include significant contributions to research and co-author conference, workshop, and journal papers where appropriate.


o Coordinate a program to operate an MOCVD reactor as a shared-use cost center, for which Internal and external customers pay a fee for epitaxial crystal structure process development and perform small-volume epitaxial wafer process tests.


o Perform tasks as required for contracted foundry work.


o Run new processes for compound semiconductor-based substrate heterostructures fundamental in the fabrication of compound semiconductor devices.


o Gather process control data for MOCVD crystal growth for monitoring and maintaining the process and equipment to keep them functioning with high equipment uptime and high standards of material specifications.


• Maintain and update equipment to include the following:


o Facilitate the maintenance and repair of other processing tools to ensure research goals are satisfied. Primarily responsible for metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor for compound semiconductors and tools related to MOCVD growth.


o Adhere to policies for preventive maintenance, usage, training, and process control to assure that fabrication process tools are operating within specifications on a regular basis.


o Continuously maintain training and certification for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) required to perform scheduled maintenance and tank changes for toxic gasses.


o Work with the Director of Facilities to ensure safe practices for gas delivery, cylinder installation, and abatement of the MOCVD tools.


• Train users on the following topics:


• System care and maintenance, process control, and safety training.


• Provide equipment operation training and instruction sets for users of the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) tool for compound semiconductors and tools related to MOCVD growth.


o Deliver custom training course materials for new and existing users for best practices in crystal growth techniques, safety, and metrology.


o Perform administrative work such as the creation, distribution, and processing of laboratory forms, log sheets, etc.


• Assume additional appropriate related senior research engineer duties to further the mission of the laboratory.



Minimum Qualifications:



• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 7 years' experience working with MOCVD systems, including deep familiarity with the safety precautions for the operation and maintenance of systems that utilize toxic gas and explosive gas and working in a laboratory environment with responsibility for hands-on maintenance, repair, and operation of a reactor system for epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors.


o Or alternately, Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 5 years experience working with MOCVD systems, including deep familiarity with the safety precautions for the operation and maintenance of systems that utilize toxic gas and explosive gas and working in a laboratory environment with responsibility for hands-on maintenance, repair, and operation of a reactor system for epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors.



Principal Research Engineer




Duties and Responsibilities:



• Utilize and apply progressive research expertise and education to assist internal and external HMNTL cleanroom users to conduct research activities on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and ancillary equipment.


o Operate the Aixtron MOCVD reactor in the context of a facility that will be available to external users for epitaxial layer process development. Responsibilities include generation of cost data (materials, supplies, and personnel time) to enable generation of price quotes and invoices to customers of the reactor.


o Develop and fabricate reproducible, high-quality semiconductor heterostructures for project and product devices by participating in the specification, costing, and installation of new fabrication process systems.


o Advise users on the design of research experiments and development of research techniques and participate in and provide feedback during research focused meetings.


o Coordinate with users in developing crystal growth recipes to meet engineering design specifications, which may include significant contributions to research and co-author conference, workshop, and journal papers where appropriate.


o Develop and coordinate a program to operate an MOCVD reactor as a shared-use cost center, for which Internal and external customers pay a fee for epitaxial crystal structure process development and perform small-volume epitaxial wafer process tests.


o Consult, coordinate, and perform tasks as required for contracted foundry work.


o Develop and run new processes for compound semiconductor-based substrate heterostructures fundamental in the fabrication of compound semiconductor devices.


o Gather and interpret process control data for MOCVD crystal growth for monitoring and maintaining the process and equipment to keep them functioning with high equipment uptime and high standards of material specifications.


• Maintain, develop, and update equipment to include the following:


o Facilitate the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of other processing tools to ensure research goals are satisfied. Primarily responsible for metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor for compound semiconductors and tools related to MOCVD growth.


o Develop policies for preventive maintenance, usage, training, and process control to assure that fabrication process tools are operating within specifications on a regular basis.


o Continuously maintain training and certification for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) required to perform scheduled maintenance and tank changes for toxic gasses.


o Work with the Director of Facilities to ensure safe practices for gas delivery, cylinder installation, and abatement of the MOCVD tools.


• Enhance the user experience by identifying the training needs to advance research goals.


o Train users on the following topics:


• Process development, system care and maintenance, process control, and safety training.


• Provide equipment operation training and instruction sets for users of the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) tool for compound semiconductors and tools related to MOCVD growth.


o Develop and deliver custom training course materials for new and existing users for best practices in crystal growth techniques, safety, and metrology.


o Perform administrative work such as the creation, distribution, and processing of laboratory forms, log sheets, etc.


• Assume additional appropriate related principal research engineer duties to further the mission of the laboratory.



Minimum Qualifications:



• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 10 years experience working with MOCVD systems, including deep familiarity with the safety precautions for the operation and maintenance of systems that utilize toxic gas and explosive gas and working in a laboratory environment with responsibility for hands-on maintenance, repair, and operation of a reactor system for epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors.


o Or alternately, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 5 years experience working with MOCVD systems, including deep familiarity with the safety precautions for the operation and maintenance of systems that utilize toxic gas and explosive gas and working in a laboratory environment with responsibility for hands-on maintenance, repair, and operation of a reactor system for epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors.



Senior Research Engineer and Principal Research Engineer




Preferred Qualifications:



• Experience with metrology techniques including x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence, and Hall Effect measurements.


• Experience in an industrial environment or national laboratory with MOCVD epitaxial growth of nitride, arsenide, or phosphide-based compound semiconductors.



Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:



• Comprehensive understanding of electrical and mechanical schematics.


• Proficient at diagnosing and repairing electromechanical systems and instrumentation


• Comprehensive understanding of toxic and explosive gas handling, gas abatement, and use of SCBA equipment


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Familiarity with approaches used for substrate preparation, reactor chamber cleaning, and in situ process monitoring for chemical vapor deposition of semiconductor epitaxial layers


• Comprehensive understanding of vacuum systems, mass flow controllers, exhaust treatment, and leak detection methods as they pertain to chemical vapor deposition reactors



Physical Demands/Working Conditions



• Position involves a mix of remaining in a stationary position and moving and traversing throughout the HMNTL facilities, as well as stooping, crawling, and ascending/descending stairs and ladders, operating and physically identifying problems with mechanical and electrical equipment, and moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.


• Position includes operating at a desk, working in tight spaces, working in close proximity to noisy machinery, laboratory chemicals, toxic and pyrophoric gasses, and occasional response to emergency response situations including first responders.


• Incumbent routinely communicates and converses with laboratory occupants and is subject to demanding clients, changing priorities, and managing multiple tasks.


• Incumbent will frequently visit labs with exposure to magnetic, explosive, and chemical risks.


• Incumbent will visit spaces occupied by the department in multiple non- ADA compliant facilities, in both conditioned and nonconditioned spaces, and perform outside work.



APPOINTMENT INFORMATION



This is a full-time academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. The minimum salary is $90,000 for the senior research engineer position and $110,000 for the principal research engineer position, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Employees hired into this position will be expected to work onsite on a full-time basis.



APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION



Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 16, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Amy Meharry at amym@illinois.edu . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .


Requisition ID: 1026352
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu