R&D engineer Advanced Epitaxy and Characterization of 2D Materials 

Background 

Dimensional scaling of most advanced transistor components continues through introducing disruptive materials to a conservative semiconductor industry [1]. Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), emerge as extremely disruptive semiconducting channel materials for atomically scaled transistors on future logic scaling roadmaps, igniting the Angstrom technology era [2]. TMD materials complement silicon when transistor channel length and thickness get squeezed to an accountable number of atoms, due to their intrinsic lack of dangling bonds and weaker mobility dependence on channel thickness [3].

Over the last decade, the vibrant 2D materials community progressed tremendously in understanding how to reduce electrically detrimental defect structures in 2D materials by various modifications to the chemical vapor epitaxy method [4]. Yet, today’s concepts to manufacture and integrate TMDs struggle to provide single-crystalline TMD channel materials with tunable intrinsic and extrinsic defect densities on semiconductor-industry-standard 300 mm silicon wafers. This poses existential limitations to fabricating highly performing semiconductor devices with 2D semiconductors. 

This advent of computing with atomically thin interfaces brings forth unprecedented opportunities and challenges to manufacture and integrate 2D materials with atomically controlled precision for future device architectures. More so, it strains existing characterization methods and protocols to capture how material structure and properties originate from the various manufacturing processes. For these reasons, imec’s 2D material community is actively scouting a talented Research and Development (R&D) Engineer to further strengthen our expertise in the advanced chemical vapor epitaxy and characterization of 2D materials. This research is embedded in imec’s world-class expertise center for 2D materials and leverages imec’s unique 300 mm infrastructure for 2D materials linked to the 2D Pilot Line initiative, funded by the European Union’s Graphene Flagship [5].  

[1] Ryckaert et al (imec), Nature Reviews Elec. Eng. 2024, 1, pp 139–140 
[2] imec web article, Feb. 2, 2023, “Smaller, better, faster: imec presents chip scaling roadmap” 
[3] Y. Liu et al, Nature 2021, 591, 43–53 
[4] C. Liu et al, Nature Nano. 2024, 19, pp 907–918 
[5] 2D-Pilot Line (2D-PL), https://graphene-flagship.eu/industrialisation/pilot-line/ 

What you will do

You will join the international and multidisciplinary Advanced Deposited Channels (ADC) research team to explore and manipulate three-atom-thin semiconductors at the forefront of semiconductor technology. In that role, you will study novel approaches to selective epitaxy of TMD materials leveraging imec’s premier and state-of-the-art 300 mm deposition platforms [5-7]. This will inspire future monolithic and self-aligned deposition strategies for ultimately single-crystalline two-dimensional materials and their hetero-structures with tunable layer thickness, stacking order and rotation angles [7]. Further, with your “can-do” mentality and research aptitude, you will take the challenge to further expand the advanced defect characterization capabilities in the team and to understand how TMD defect properties originate from the epitaxy process and later integration steps. More so, you will join efforts with a multidisciplinary team to further integrate such 2D materials into most advanced transistor devices architectures across 300 mm substrates. 

Through your research, you will contribute to ADC’s research mission of (i) designing 300 mm deposition concepts for 2D material integration on industry-standard silicon platforms; and (ii) pioneering a 300 mm ecosystem for 2D materials between universities, material and equipment suppliers and integrated device manufacturers. In this role, you will develop complementary technical and personal competencies that allow you to establish inspirational and effective relationships with various stakeholders and collaborators, internal and external customers, material and equipment suppliers. Further, you can seize opportunities to disseminate your research findings at top tier conferences and at imec’s six-monthly technical review week. 

Through your analytical and logical thinking skills, you are sufficiently agile to balance various research activities in parallel. You are adept with problem-solving skills, and condensing observations and technical results into concise, clear and timely reports to internal and external customers and collaborators. 

[5] Y. Shi et al (imec), ACS Nano 2021, 15, 6, 9482-9494 
[6] I. Kandybka et al (imec), ACS Nano 2024, 18, 3173–3186 
[7] B. Groven et al (imec), Nature Nano. 2024 (under revision) https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4504047/v1 

What we do for you

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

The ADC team offers a vibrant research eco-system with more than a decade of demonstrable expertise in 2D material science [8-13]. By joining the ADC team, you will get exposed to the existing expertise and analytical methodologies that have been developed over the last years, and you are expected to further nurture and build your research ideas in line with the ADC mission. The team is comprised of a complementary and multidisciplinary ensemble of permanent researchers, PhD researchers and visiting researchers.  

Further, by joining the 2D materials community at imec, you will be exposed to plentiful opportunities to further enrich personal and technical competences. This includes, for example, access to imec’s state-of-the-art clean room infrastructure and the imec academy development center, as well as research visit(s) to (academic) partners and top tier conferences. Further, you will be exposed to the growing academic network within the team. 

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. 

[8] A. Delabie et al (imec), Chem. Comm. 2015, 51 (86), 15692 – 15695  
[9] B. Groven, et al (imec), Chem. Mater. 2017, 29 (7), 2927 – 2938 
[10] Q. Smets, et al (imec), 2019 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), pp. 23.2.1-23.2.4. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEDM19573.2019.8993650 
[11] Y. Shi et al (imec), 2021 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), https://doi.org/10.1109/IEDM19574.2021.9720676 
[12] V. Voronenkov et al (imec), Physica Status Solidi A 2024, 2300943 
[13] Z. Lin et al (imec), ACS Appl. Electron. Mater. 2024, 6, 6, 4213–4222 

Who you are

• You hold a Ph.D. degree in Physics, Material Science, Nanotechnology, Chemistry, or related field of study with a topical focus on 2D materials as illustrated by your academic publication record 
• You have hands-on experience in operating vacuum technology systems for 2D material deposition, 2D material characterization or both. 
• You exhibit deep knowledge in at least one of the following subject matters: (i) chemical vapor epitaxy of 2D materials, (ii) advanced structural and defect characterization of 2D materials 
• Foremost, you display a “can-do” mentality and aptitude for learning and driving research activities in the advanced epitaxy and characterization of 2D materials 
• A first working experience after PhD graduation in either the semiconductor industry, a semiconductor research institute or academia, is considered an asset  
• Computational skills for thermochemistry and thermodynamics, computational fluid dynamics or statistical data analysis are also considered an asset  
• Acting as a team player comes natural to you, allowing you to easily integrate into an international team of professionals. 
• You have strong organizational skills and show flexibility to change between different projects according to priorities. 
• You like taking initiative, you are pro-active, and display logical reasoning skills, while keeping a constructive attitude. 
• You have excellent English communication and reporting skills.  

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.