Research Scientist - Semiconductor Process Chemistry - Co-op Student (Winter 2027)

Tech Insights; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-sponsored training

Community involvement

Inclusive environment

High-growth company

Job summary

TechInsights invites a chemistry-forward co-op student to join our R&D team in Ottawa, working on chemical and plasma etching of advanced semiconductor materials. You will design experiments, troubleshoot workflows, and document results with rigor to guide future process development.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, strong foundation in surface chemistry and kinetics, and use of AI tools and literature to accelerate problem solving while collaborating across lab and office environments.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a student in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field with emphasis on experimental chemistry.
• Strong foundation in chemistry principles, including reaction mechanisms, surface chemistry, and kinetics.
• Extensive hands-on chemistry lab experience, including independent experimental setup and documentation.
• Ability to leverage AI-assisted tools, literature, and technical resources to support research and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, and execute experiments on chemical (wet) and plasma (dry) etching of modern semiconductor materials.
• Investigate open-ended technical challenges involving chemical interactions, process development, and materials compatibility.
• Translate experimental process concepts into reliable and repeatable laboratory workflows.
• Document experimental methods, results, and insights to support ongoing research and future process development.

Skills

Chemistry principles

Lab experience

AI-assisted tools

Experimental setup

Education

Student in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science

Tools

AFM

SEM

Surface profilometry

RGA / SIMS

Job description

OUR STORY

TechInsights is the information Platform for the semiconductor industry.

Regarded as the most trusted source of actionable, in-depth intelligence related to semiconductor innovation and surrounding markets, TechInsights' content informs decision makers and professionals whose success depends on accurate knowledge of the semiconductor industry-past, present, or future.

Over 650 companies and 150,000 users access the TechInsights Platform, the world's largest vertically integrated collection of unmatched reverse engineering, teardown, and market analysis in the semiconductor industry. This collection includes detailed circuit analysis, imagery, semiconductor process flows, device teardowns, illustrations, costing and pricing information, forecasts, market analysis, and expert commentary. TechInsights' customers include the most successful technology companies who rely on TechInsights' analysis to make informed business, design, and product decisions faster and with greater confidence. For more information, visit www.techinsights.com.

WHY WORK WITH US

• Company-sponsored training and development opportunities
• Community involvement opportunities through charitable alliances: https://www.techinsights.com/community-involvement
• Inclusive environment that prioritizes diversity, equity, and accessibility
• High-growth company driven by high performance

THE OPPORTUNITY:

This co-op role is an opportunity to contribute to hands-on research and development at the intersection of chemistry and materials science. You'll join our R&D team working on chemical and plasma etching of advanced semiconductor materials, taking on real experimental work from design through execution. This is a chemistry-forward position where you'll investigate open-ended technical challenges, develop and refine laboratory workflows, and contribute directly to research that informs how next-generation materials are processed and understood.

You'll have the opportunity to work with meaningful ownership over your experiments, setting up workflows, troubleshooting problems, and documenting findings with enough rigor to support future work, all within a collaborative team that provides guidance and support along the way. If you have a strong foundation in chemistry principles and a genuine interest in how materials behave at the surface level, this is a role where that curiosity gets put to practical use within an active R&D environment.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Research, design, and execute experiments on chemical (wet) and plasma (dry) etching of modern semiconductor materials
• Investigate open-ended technical challenges involving chemical interactions, process development, and materials compatibility
• Translate experimental process concepts into reliable and repeatable laboratory workflows
• Document experimental methods, results, and technical insights to support ongoing research and future process development

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Currently a student enrolled in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field with emphasis on experimental chemistry
• Strong foundation in chemistry principles, including reaction mechanisms, surface chemistry, and kinetics
• Extensive hands-on chemistry lab experience, including independent experimental setup, execution, troubleshooting, and documentation
• Ability to leverage AI-assisted tools, scientific literature, and technical resources to support research, generate and refine experimental ideas, and accelerate problem-solving while critically evaluating results

Experience with any of the following is an asset:

• Semiconductor etching
• Microfabrication/cleanroom environments
• Operation of vacuum systems (etching, deposition)
• Surface analysis (AFM, SEM, optical microscopy, surface profilometry)
• Residual Gas Analysis (RGA) or Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)

As part of the recruitment process for this position, you will be required to submit your latest citizenship and/or permanent residency information. This information will be used to comply with U.S. Export Control Laws and Regulations.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT

This is an on-site role at our Ottawa office, with work conducted across both lab and office environments. The role involves handling chemicals and semiconductor materials.

Technology knows no bounds, and neither does TechInsights. Bringing together talented humans from different perspectives, backgrounds and abilities is something we take serious. We're committed to building an inclusive environment that welcomes you to be your authentic self and allows us to push past the boundaries together.

TechInsights is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

AI technology may be used to assist in the screening and assessment of applications for this position. Our recruiters are involved at every stage, and all hiring decisions are made by People and hiring teams.

As part of any recruitment process, TechInsights collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use that data and to meeting our data protection obligations. Our Privacy policy can be referenced here: https://www.techinsights.com/privacy-policy