Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) Media Research Intern

Seagate Technology; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art clean room

On-site fitness center

12 paid holidays

Paid sick leave 48 hours

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Seagate Technology is seeking a HAMR Media Research Intern at our Fremont Research Center to advance TEM, STEM, EELS, and 4D-STEM studies of HAMR media materials. You’ll develop and apply nanoscale characterization methods, design data analyses, and work with cross-functional teams to relate microstructure to magnetic media performance.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Applied Physics, or Chemistry, with hands-on TEM/EELS experience and enthusiasm

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master’s or PhD in a relevant field and returning to classes for Fall 2027.
• Hands-on TEM/HRTEM/STEM/EDS/EELS experience is expected.
• Experience with 4D-STEM and related data analysis workflows is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced microstructural characterization using TEM, including HR-TEM, STEM, electron diffraction, and EDS mapping.
• Develop and apply EELS methods to study nanoscale chemistry and interface characteristics.
• Apply 4D-STEM techniques to study crystallography, strain, defects, and nanoscale features.
• Analyze TEM, STEM, EELS, and 4D-STEM data with modern image processing and data science tools.
• Collaborate with process engineers, materials scientists, and modeling teams to link microstructure to HAMR performance.
• Develop data analysis workflows and automation tools using Python.

Skills

TEM

HRTEM

STEM imaging

EELS

4D-STEM

py4DSTEM

Python

Data analysis

Magnetic thin films

Education

Master's or PhD in Materials Science/Physics/Applied Physics/Chemistry

Tools

HyperSpy

Python libraries

Job description

Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) Media Research Intern

About our group

You will be working in the HAMR Media Process Development & Product Integration group at Seagate's Fremont Research Center, where we develop leading-edge recording media technologies for future hard disk drives, from theoretical concepts through technology development to product maturity. The team works closely with equipment engineering, magnetic characterization, recording performance, and advanced materials analysis groups to drive innovation in next-generation HAMR technologies.

About the role - you will:

• Perform advanced microstructural characterization using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), including high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), electron diffraction, and EDS mapping techniques.
• Develop and apply Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) methods to investigate nanoscale chemical composition, elemental distribution, electronic structure, and interface characteristics of HAMR media materials.
• Participate in the development and implementation of advanced 4D-STEM characterization techniques to study crystallographic orientation, strain, phase distribution, defects, and nanoscale structural features in magnetic thin-film materials. Experience with py4DSTEM and Python programming is strongly preferred.
• Analyze and interpret TEM, STEM, EELS, and 4D-STEM datasets using modern image processing, diffraction analysis, and data science tools.
• Collaborate with process engineers, materials scientists, and modeling teams to correlate microstructure, chemistry, crystallography, and magnetic properties with HAMR media performance.
• Develop data analysis workflows and automation tools for advanced microscopy datasets using Python and related scientific computing libraries.
• Learn and apply magnetic, thermal, structural, and advanced electron microscopy characterization techniques to support HAMR media technology development.

About you:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Strong interest in electron microscopy, materials characterization, and advanced analytical techniques.
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific communication skills.

Your experience includes:

• Knowledge of magnetism, magnetic thin films, FePt-based media, HAMR technologies, and magnetic recording materials is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), including HRTEM, STEM imaging, electron diffraction, EDS, EELS, or related electron microscopy techniques.
• Experience with 4D-STEM, diffraction-based characterization, py4DSTEM, HyperSpy, or related data analysis workflows is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of crystallography, electron diffraction, phase identification, strain analysis, and microstructure-property relationships.
• Knowledge of magnetism, magnetic thin films, FePt-based media, HAMR technologies, or magnetic recording materials is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills, with the ability to work independently in a research environment.
• Currently pursuing a Master's or PhD degree in Materials Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Chemistry, or a related field, and returning to classes for Fall 2027.

Location & Benefits

Our Gold LEED-certified Fremont product-design campus drives innovation, bringing together a diverse set of engineering, design, operations, support, and administrative teams. The site is equipped with a state-of-the-art clean room and lab space. On-site social activities are popular, including our annual BBQ, ice cream social, and holiday events. Wellness programs, gaming rooms, and the on-site fitness center help round out and balance your Seagate work-life experience, along with opportunities to give back to our local community.

The estimated base wage range for this position is $41 - $48/hr. The individual base wage is based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Seagate offers comprehensive benefits to its eligible Interns, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, and participation in the employee stock purchase plan. Seagate also offers Interns 12 paid holidays and a minimum of 48 hours of paid sick leave. The benefits for this position are based on a 24 to 40-hour-per-week schedule for a full calendar year and may differ depending on work location and tenure with the Company.

Location: Fremont USA Research Center

Travel: None

Information at a Glance

About Us

With more than four decades of storage innovation, Seagate empowers humanity to thrive in the data age and helps people and businesses navigate the ever-expanding data landscape.

We craft precision-engineered, cutting-edge solutions that help the world store and manage exponential data growth.

Seagate is powered by our talented and passionate workforce of 29,000 employees across the globe who embody our core values: integrity, innovation, and inclusion. Striving towards excellence every single day, we show up with these values for our customers, business partners, shareholders, and communities alike.

Join us and get inspired to make a difference in the datasphere!

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Seagate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, military and veteran status, or other status protected by applicable law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. EEO Know Your Rights Poster

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