Staff Scientist, Deposition Processes

Air Liquide; Newark, Northern (DE, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company-m

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Air Liquide is seeking a Staff Scientist for the Deposition Processes group at the Innovation Campus Delaware (ICD) in Newark, DE. The role focuses on ALD/CVD precursor design and deposition processes for semiconductor materials, with hands-on experimentation, data analysis and cross-functional collaboration across global teams.

The successful candidate will guide autonomous R&D on dielectric and metal depositions, mentor scientists, and help define the technical roadmap while coordinating with

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Material Science with ALD specialization or a Master’s with 7+ yrs industry ALD experience.
• Hands-on experience with ALD tools and metrology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent R&D investigations on ALD dielectric/metal/complex alloy deposition.
• Drive technology trends and define the technical roadmap across multiple business lines.
• Mentor junior scientists and share expertise across the organization.
• Travel ~5% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Global collaboration

Publications/presentations

Education

PhD or MS with ALD specialization

7+ years ALD experience (industry)

Tools

ALD tools

Job description

R10087910 Staff 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 drive innovation by spearheading the design and development of next‑generation precursor molecules and deposition processes for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Acting as a primary technical authority, they will autonomously drive independent, hands‑on R&D investigations focused on the deposition of dielectric materials, metals, and complex alloys via ALD and CVD techniques. Deep, hands‑on mastery of ALD tools, advanced metrology, and film characterization is essential, as this role is expected to conduct rigorous experimental work, solve complex multidisciplinary problems, and integrate state‑of‑the‑art knowledge to advance Air Liquide's competitive position.

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.

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: Lead work groups to ensure compliance and drive continuous improvement by applying technical expertise and a sound understanding of IMS requirements.
• Deposition Process & Precursor Design: Demonstrate autonomous management of complex ALD thin film initiatives, utilizing deep technical insight to develop and propose innovative solutions.
• Strategic Vision & Impact: Support leadership by identifying critical technology trends for the Group; champion new R&D directions and play a pivotal role in defining the technical roadmap across various business lines.
• Mentorship & Expertise Sharing: Distribute specialized technical knowledge throughout the organization; act as a subject matter expert for project and business managers while fostering the growth of junior scientists.
• Network & Relationship Management: Cultivate a robust internal network across Air Liquide functions; build external partnerships with academic and industrial peers while maintaining high engagement with customers and marketing teams.
• Intellectual Asset Development: Drive faster commercialization and improve internal efficiency through active participation in external technical work groups and a deep understanding of the patent landscape.
• Technical Leadership & Voice: Leverage deep technical proficiency to guide internal and external strategic decisions.
• Position requires ~5% travel, domestic and international.

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 7+ years of industry relevant experience in the field of ALD processes for semiconductor applications.
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management: Ability to manage the overall scope of design interpretation and customer interface to define project scope, and manage resources for successful completion.
• Business Acumen: Capacity to anticipate business needs for new technology and products, and understand the relationship between current and future competitive technologies and market position.

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!