Principal Research Scientist

KLA; Newport; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days

Contributory pension scheme

Cash health plan

Cycle to work scheme

Global bonus plan

Share scheme

Rewards scheme

Life assurance

Shift allowance & overtime premiums

Job summary

KLA is seeking a senior technical leader to advance plasma etch and deposition technologies within their Advanced Development team in the UK. The role focuses on conceiving and delivering breakthrough hardware and process solutions across packaging and photonics, with a strong emphasis on plasma–surface interactions and device requirements.

You will guide complex development activities, work with COMSOL-based simulations, and collaborate with global customers and partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Plasma Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Semiconductor Technology, or Electronic Engineering is required.
• Experience in plasma etch and deposition technologies.
• Ability to lead complex development projects and mentor junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of plasma etch and deposition technologies for Advanced Packaging, Photonics, and related fields.
• Solve challenging process and hardware problems using first-principles, simulation, and data-driven analysis.
• Drive invention activities and contribute to IP strategy.
• Lead investigation of complex process integration and hardware performance challenges.
• Interpret modelling tools to predict plasma behaviour and guide design directions.
• Collaborate with customers and partners to understand future tech needs.
• Present findings to leadership and stakeholders.
• International travel may be required.

Skills

Plasma physics

Hardware design

Data analysis

Technical leadership

Education

PhD in Physics or related field

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

Modelling tools

Job description

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA's product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The SPTS division provides advanced wafer processing solutions-including etch, deposition and vapor-based technologies-designed for R&D through high-volume production. With a global presence and strong customer support network, SPTS helps manufacturers across industries improve performance, yield and cost-efficiency. It also offers comprehensive service and spare parts through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

Working as part of the Advanced Development team, you will play a leading role in the conception, and hands-on development of next-generation plasma process technologies that address both current and future semiconductor manufacturing challenges.

You will be expected to proactively define innovative hardware and process solutions, and lead complex development activities spanning plasma etch, deposition, and advanced process integration. The role requires a deep understanding of plasma-surface interactions, hardware-process interactions, and semiconductor device requirements to create differentiated technology solutions for future KLA products.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Development & Innovation

Lead the development of breakthrough plasma etch and deposition technologies for Advanced Packaging, Photonics, Compound Semiconductor, Quantum, MEMS, and Specialty Semiconductor applications.

Solve challenging process and hardware problems where solutions are not immediately apparent, applying a combination of first-principles understanding, simulation, experimental design, and data-driven analysis.

Drive invention activities and contribute to patent generation and intellectual property strategy.

Hardware & Process Leadership

Lead investigation and resolution of complex process integration, plasma physics, equipment, and hardware performance challenges.

Guide junior engineers and scientists, sharing technical expertise and best practices.

Lead technical reviews and influence development priorities across the wider organization.

Work closely with engineering teams to influence chamber design, RF systems, gas delivery, thermal management, endpoint control, and process diagnostics.

Simulation & Modelling

Interpret modelling tools such as COMSOL or equivalent simulation packages to predict plasma behaviour, materials interactions, process performance, and hardware design impacts.

Develop physical models and mechanistic understanding to guide future technology directions.

Customer and Partner Engagement

Collaborate with customers, research institutes, universities, and strategic development partners to understand future technology requirements.

Act as a technical representative for KLA in customer reviews, consortium activities, technical conferences, and collaborative research programmes.

Present complex technical findings to internal leadership and external stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Generate clear technical reports, publications, invention disclosures, and executive-level summaries.

Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

This position will involve international travel to meet with customers, attend conferences/collaborative work and occasional shift work is expected.

Occasional domestic and international travel, including to the United States, may be required as part of this role.

What we will offer you?

• Annual leave starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays)
• contributory pension scheme
• cash health plan
• cycle to work scheme
• global bonus plan
• share scheme
• rewards scheme
• life assurance
• generous shift allowance and overtime premiums

KLA, is proud to be an inclusive and diverse employer.

Minimum Qualifications

PhD in Physics, Plasma Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Semiconductor Technology, Electronic Engineering, or