Principal Researcher – Imaging Physics & Advanced Sensing

ASML; Veldhoven; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ASML Research in the Netherlands seeks a deep subject-matter expert in imaging physics to develop new imaging techniques using photons or electrons, spanning theory, modeling and feasibility studies relevant to metrology, inspection and sensing.

You will lead concepts from first principles, drive technical direction, and ensure consistency across teams while mentoring juniors and coordinating with SE, D&E, and TDC stakeholders.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in physics, optics, electron microscopy, or a closely related field.
• Deep expertise in imaging physics, including optical or electron-based imaging systems.
• Strong experience with physics-based modeling and simulation of imaging systems.
• Experience in leading groups or projects with more than 10 people and at least 10 years of practical experience
• Proven track record as an independent researcher, capable of developing and validating new concepts from first principles.
• Strong ability to work autonomously while driving technical direction and quality through interaction with multi-disciplinary teams at varying levels of expertise.
• Proven experience interacting with System Engineering (SE), Development & Engineering (D&E), and TDC stakeholders.
• Ability to integrate competences across teams and neighbouring projects, ensuring alignment, reuse, and consistent physical understanding.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive imaging physics research topics aligned with metrology, inspection and sensing needs.
• Develop novel imaging techniques using optical and/or electron-based approaches.
• Build and apply physics-based models and simulations across propagation, interaction, coherence, detection, and retrieval.
• Perform hands-on research from concept to feasibility studies and proof-of-concept.
• Develop deep understanding of imaging limits including resolution, contrast, and noise.
• Act as a content leader ensuring physical correctness and reuse of models across projects.
• Contribute to competency across computational imaging and parameter inference.
• Mentor juniors and supervise students/interns.
• Integrate knowledge across competence areas and neighboring projects.

Skills

Imaging physics

Physics-based modeling

Team leadership

Independent researcher

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Systems engineering interaction

Education

PhD in physics/optics/electron microscopy

Job description

Introduction to the job

Within ASML Research, we develop the physical principles and technologies that enable future generations of semiconductor manufacturing. ASML’s product portfolio comprises DUV and EUV lithography scanners as well as metrology and inspection tools hereby using both optical and e-beam technologies.

Introduction to the job

Within ASML Research, we develop the physical principles and technologies that enable future generations of semiconductor manufacturing. ASML’s product portfolio comprises DUV and EUV lithography scanners as well as metrology and inspection tools hereby using both optical and e-beam technologies.
This position focuses on imaging physics, with an emphasis on developing new imaging techniques using photons and/or electrons. The work spans fundamental physics, modeling, and feasibility studies with relevance for future metrology, inspection and sensing applications. For most number of ASML tools, imaging physics comprises often co-design of hardware together with computational imaging solutions. The latter include, amongst others digital post-processing, and tailoring of imaging concepts for the specific information aimed for.
A proper understanding of the processes behind the formation of an image is instrumental to the inverse problem typical of metrology, where inference is applied to obtain the best estimate of a parameter of interest based on the available data and prior knowledge. In this sense, expertise on imaging physics is expected to contribute to the general understanding of signal formation for inverse metrology.

Job mission

In this role, you will operate as a deep subject‑matter expert and strong individual contributor, developing new concepts from first principles and translating them into validated approaches. You will act as a content leader in imaging physics, ensuring technical quality and consistency while integrating expertise across teams and competences.
Your impact extends beyond your own work by shaping research direction and connecting neighboring projects and domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive research topics in imaging physics, aligned with metrology, inspection and sensing needs.
• Develop novel imaging techniques using optical and/or electron-based approaches.
• Build and apply physics‑based models and simulations, including:
  • Light or electron propagation
  • Interaction with materials and structures through diffraction and scattering models
  • Image formation under various conditions of coherence
  • Detection mechanisms
  • Retrieval solutions of the key-information of interest
• Perform hands‑on research, from concept definition through feasibility studies to proof‑of‑concept.
• Develop deep understanding of imaging limits, including resolution, contrast, coherence properties, sensitivity, and any disturbances like deformation and noise.
• Act as a content leader, ensuring physical correctness, consistency, and reuse of models across projects.
• Contribute across projects by reviewing, guiding, and aligning technical work across multidisciplanary teams.
• Actively contributing to the competence of computational imaging and parameter inference
• Being active in tutoring of junior colleagues and the supervision of students and interns
• Integrate knowledge across competence areas and neighboring projects, ensuring coherent solutions and effective knowledge transfer.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Your Profile

Education

• PhD or equivalent experience in physics, optics, electron microscopy, or a closely related field.

Experience

• Deep expertise in imaging physics, including optical or electron‑based imaging systems.
• Strong experience with physics‑based modeling and simulation of imaging systems.
• Experience in leading groups or working projects with more than 10 people and at least 10 years of practical experience
• Proven track record as an independent researcher, capable of developing and validating new concepts from first principles.
• Strong ability to work autonomously while driving technical direction and quality through interaction with multi-disciplinary teams at varying levels of expertise.
• Proven experience interacting with System Engineering (SE), Development & Engineering (D&E), and TDC stakeholders.
• Ability to integrate competences across teams and neighbouring projects, ensuring alignment, reuse, and consistent physical understanding.

Context of position

Within ASML, the sector Research is responsible for creating ideas and solutions that contribute to the ASML roadmaps.
We work in small teams and deliver proof of concept solutions that can be transferred to Development & Engineering. We intensively collaborate with external research institutes and universities.

Why join ASML?

• Work on fundamental physics challenges within industrial environment with real-world impact.
• Shape future imaging and metrology technologies used worldwide.
• Collaborate with leading experts across science and engineering.

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.