Research Scientist - Deposition Processes

Balazs; Newark, Northern (DE, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Life Insurance and Disability

401(k) Retirement Plan with company or

Tuition Assistance

Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick time

Paid Day 1 Benefits

Job summary

Air Liquide’s Innovation Campus Delaware seeks a Research Scientist to design precursor molecules and deposition processes for ALD/CVD in the semiconductor space. You will work across multidisciplinary teams to develop dielectric and metal thin films and advance metrology tools.

The role requires a PhD (or Master’s with industry experience) in chemistry/engineering with ALD specialization, plus hands-on deposition and analytical skills, and a willingness to travel 5% domestically and

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s with significant ALD experience and material synthesis knowledge.
• Hands-on experience with ALD/ CVD processes and precursor design.
• Proficiency with material characterization techniques (FTIR, Ellipsometry, XRR, XPS, AES, SEM).
• Ability to collaborate across global teams and publish/present findings.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop precursor molecules for dielectric and metal thin films.
• Lead ALD and CVD deposition projects for semiconductor applications.
• Develop metrology tools and ALD processes for new materials.
• Evaluate structure-property relationships using in-situ and ex-situ analyses.
• Perform literature and patent searches; foster IP development.
• Collaborate with global partners to meet technical needs and transfer know-how.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Analytical Skills

Self-Motivated

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science w/ ALD

Master’s degree with 3+ years industry exp

Tools

ALD tools

FTIR

Ellipsometry

XRR

XPS

AES

SEM

Job description

R10098019 Research Scientist - Deposition Processes (Open) Location: Newark, DE (ICD) - R&D - Electronics

The Innovation and Development Division (IDD) drives the innovation strategy for the Hubs and Operations, and contributes to the Group's transformation. It is responsible for imagining, developing and incubating new solutions until they are brought to market, particularly when it comes to offers with a high technological content (including digital and IT). IDD gathers more than 3,000 employees from 70 nationalities at 60 sites.

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW? Innovation enables Air Liquide to open up new markets, develop its industry and create new solutions for its customers. Research and Development, the driver of innovation, contributes to the development of technologies and processes that open up new prospects and strengthens the Group’s competitive position. The Air Liquide R&D network is made up of 8 research centers spread over 3 continents. Overall, there are 1000 researchers of more than 35 nationalities developing innovations in the areas of industry, environment, healthcare and electronics.

The Customer Processes - Electronics group at the Innovation Campus Delaware (ICD) focuses on Semiconductor material development and supports AL Electronics businesses. Material development comprises of (1) design, synthesis, characterization electronic materials, (2) development of Atomic layer deposition processes for Air Liquide precursors and (3) design, characterization and development of various etching processes for Etchants. The team is is both multidisciplinary and multinational from a variety of countries around the world including the US, Canada, India, China, Taiwan, Vietnam.

The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and developing the precursor molecules and deposition processes of Organometallic and inorganic compounds for application in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The processes will include the deposition of dielectric materials, metals and complex alloys by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Chemical Vapor deposition (CVD) techniques. Experience working with ALD tools and use of advanced metrology and characterization is highly desired. As a global market leader in gases, technologies, and services for the tech sector, Air Liquide Electronics is the engine driving the next generation of digital evolution. We partner with the world's foremost semiconductor, flat panel display, and photovoltaic manufacturers, supplying the ultra-pure carrier gases and advanced molecules essential to making technology smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient.

Our innovations sit at the heart of today's most exciting tech megatrends - from Artificial Intelligence and 5G to autonomous mobility - all while actively advancing sustainability and decarbonization within the semiconductor ecosystem. By joining our passionate global team, you will enter a collaborative, learning-focused environment where your unique talents are championed and your everyday work directly shapes the future of how the world connects. At Air Liquide, we RESPECT, HONOR and VALUE diversity.

Comprehensive Family Benefits

• Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
• Support for Parents: We offer up to 14-week paid child birth benefits to support growing families.
• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment ( Day 1 for Air Liquide) / Your benefits start after just 1 day of employment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Safety Leadership: Serve as a safety role model; promote a high level of safety awareness, ensure IMS compliance within the team/facility, and support continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Deposition Process & precursor Design: Lead projects involving semiconductor related deposition processes, including both CVD and ALD, the design of new deposition molecules, and process evaluation for semiconductor applications.
• Contribute in for design, screening of organometallic precursors for deposition of dielectric and metal thin films, develop relevant metrology tools and developing ALD processes for application in the semiconductor.
• Structure-Property Evaluation: Build fundamental knowledge of the relationship between deposition molecule structures and functional performance using both in-situ and ex-situ advanced analysis and film characterization techniques.
• Intellectual Property & Literature: Conduct literature and patent searches, recognize and document patentable findings, and actively promote the innovative development of intellectual property.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building: Develop and sustain relationships with global Air Liquide business partners, operations units, customers, OEMs, and academic/consortia partners to transfer process know-how and meet immediate technical needs.
• Technical Communication: Prepare high-quality presentation materials and reports for internal teams, global R&D networks, and external technical conferences or journals.
• Agility: Maintain a self-driven, flexible mindset to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing R&D priorities.

Are you a MATCH?

Required Qualifications:

• Education: PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Material Science with specialization in ALD processes and ALD precursors or a Master’s degree with 3+ years of industry relevant experience.
• Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience with plasma-based and/or thermal ALD tools including troubleshooting/maintenance is highly desired.
• Hands-on experience with chemical and gas handling is also highly desired.
• Thin Film Analytical Competency: Strong expertise and hands-on experience with multiple analytical and film characterization techniques (e.g., FTIR, Ellipsometry, XRR, XPS, AES, SEM, etc).
• Global Collaboration: Proven ability to work efficiently on multi-disciplinary, international teams and build internal/external networks.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a strong publication or presentation track record in technical conferences or journals.
• Problem Solving: Self-motivated individual with the ability to define and solve complex problems in collaboration with business units and external partners.
• 5% travel, domestic and international

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Coordination: Demonstrated capacity to successfully oversee and execute multiple research initiatives concurrently.
• Analytical Insight: Competence in synthesizing data and identifying potential technical bottlenecks that may impact R&D timelines.
• Results Orientation: Proactive mindset with the agility to navigate obstacles and adapt to shifting R&D requirements while managing risk.
• Professional Growth: Continuous commitment to learning and a self-driven motivation to expand organizational technical capabilities.

Our Differences make our Performance At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world. A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health. Through the passion and diversity of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.

Join us for a stimulating experience: you'll find a world of learning and development opportunities where inventiveness is at the heart of what we do, in an open, collaborative and respectful environment. Discover what your professional journey at Air Liquide could be here!