Research & Development Project & Program Germanium Epitaxy Expert

Umicore; Town of Belgium (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Umicore seeks a Germanium epitaxy specialist to shape a new space-focused epitaxy product line. You will lead the growth process, optimize material performance, and ensure high-quality Ge layer fabrication while driving product development in a cross-functional setting.

The role emphasizes translating insights into experiments and decisions, maintaining EHS standards, and collaborating with partners across Europe and North America to advance the IP and scale production.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, or Semiconductor Engineering.
• Hands-on experience with semiconductor deposition techniques such as ALD, CVD, MOVPE, MBE or sputtering.

Responsibilities

• Develop an industrial epitaxy process and set up new process.
• Define a robust high-quality epitaxy process and tool workflows.
• Own baseline EHS (source gases, chemicals, exhaust gases and waste).
• Lead development projects from R&D to pilot scale with milestones.
• Communicate results and present outcomes to internal and external audiences.

Skills

Deposition techniques

Ge epitaxy

Education

Master’s degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, or Semiconductor Engineering

Tools

ALD

CVD

MOVPE

MBE

Sputtering

Job description

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.

About Electro Optic Materials

Power in space. Vision at night. Coatings thinner than human hair. Umicore is a world leader in material solutions for the space, optics and electronics sectors – enabling every day cutting-edge technologies. We guarantee our customers secure access to supply, plus recycling technologies that give materials a new lease of life. To produce materials with even higher performance, and provide recycling to new markets, we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new processes. Which is where you come in.

Your Key Accountabilities

Purpose of the role :

Space industry is experiencing remarkable growth, particularly with the launch of several new satellite constellations. To address the increasing demand for enhanced space power, our team is developing an innovative product designed to enable the next generation of space solar arrays. Within this new product line, our goal is to overcome the limitations of traditional bulk substrates by providing a thin epitaxial Ge layer grown on germanium nanostructures.

As we prepare for the piloting phase, we are seeking a Germanium epitaxy specialist who can play a pivotal role in shaping this technology. Within the team, the specialist will be responsible for leading the epitaxial growth process and optimizing material performance, ensuring high‑quality Ge layer fabrication and contributing directly to product development. Your expertise will be instrumental in advancing our approach and making a significant impact in the industry.

Develop an industrial epitaxy processYou’ll set up the new process

• In the first half year, actively support the installation of an epi tool, a new competence within the company.
• Define a robust high quality epitaxy process.
• Set tool workflows, experimental protocols, and data practices.
• Assist running the epi tool day to day: plan and prioritize work, keep the tool running, manage maintenance and calibration.
• Own baseline EHS (source gases, chemicals, exhaust gases, and waste)

Lead innovation and development of germanium epitaxyYou’ll own germanium epitaxy from R&D to pilot scale

• Lead development projects with clear milestones and realistic timelines.
• Turn assumptions into experiments, and experiments into decisions that produce clear go/no‑go recommendations.
• Invent new growth recipes and then drive the winning concept toward scale.
• Stay current on patents and literature, and use that insight to guide our direction.
• Keep EHS compliance as a priority

Work across teams and communicate clearlyYou communicate clearly and amplify impact globally

• Intimately interact with the team with as main focus to make the new pilot line a success.
• Actively interact with our research partners in Western Europe and North America that developed the original IP.
• Write technical documents that capture learning, methods, and rationale; timely report to the funding agencies.
• Present your outcomes internally to the steering committee and externally at conferences and scientific workshops.
• Support production scale‑up and help solve manufacturing issues when they show up.

Who we are looking for

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, or Semiconductor Engineering
• Hands‑on experience with semiconductor deposition techniques such as ALD, CVD, MOVPE, MBE, or sputtering is highly valued
• Willingness for training on the job during short term assignments abroad at one of our research partners
• Proven experience managing research projects and taking work from idea to execution
• Strong knowledge of material or semiconductor sciences
• Demonstrates strong innovation judgment: excellent taste in choosing high‑impact problems, shaping solution approaches, and designing high‑signal experiments that lead to clear decisions
• Ability to translate results into clear technical decisions

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world‑leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?