PhD Positions More Reliable Electron Imaging for Semiconductor Industry

26 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

24 Apr 2024 – 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

There is a growing demand for smaller and more powerful computer chips. A major challenge to meet this demand is that when components are extremely small, it is hard to make them visible and inspect with light. By using electrons instead of light, the highest possible resolution can be achieved for visualising semiconductor components. Inspection with electrons offers a solution, but the technique still has major, fundamental shortcomings.

ARCNL , Delft University of Technology and ASML will join forces to get a better understanding of the causes of current limitations enabling the realization of faster and more reliable electron imaging for the semiconductor industry.

We are building a team of 7 PhDs and 3 Postdocs with a focus on one of the following research lines:

1. Instrumentation:

• Applications requirements & research into SEM design
• Ultraclean vacuum (mini) environment
• Application-optimized SEM instrumentation (sources, corrector)
• (Applied) physics, electrical or mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, imaging science

2. Electron-target interaction, with focus on low landing energy

• Simulation models on charging & damage
• Experimental characterization on electron-induced damage & charge diffusion
• (Applied) physics, chemistry, computer science, imaging science, (electron) optics, solid-state physics, radiation chemistry

3. Signal generation and detection

• Artefact and charging damage removal
• Novel detector concepts
• Experimental validation: the holistic approach
• (Applied) physics, electrical engineering, systems and control, imaging science, (electron) optics, detectors, signal processing, image analysis

To read more about this research collaboration, please visit our project page.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You are highly motivated to conduct fundamental research into electron beam imaging geared to accelerating innovations for industry and society as a whole. Embracing the opportunity to work with leading industrial partners, you know how to collaborate and achieve meaningful results geared to the development of pragmatic applications. You also put your curiosity to good use: you don’t take anomalies for granted and take the initiative to dig deeper and spar with experts. You also have:

• An MSc in (Applied) Physics or a relevant specialization (e.g. electrical or mechanical engineering, chemistry, computer science, imaging science, electron optics etc.)
• Experience of, or a keen interest in solid-state physics, electron-matter interaction, condensed matter physics and/or electron beam imaging.
• A drive to work within one of the 3 project research lines focussed on instrumentation (design), simulation (modelling) or experimental validation.
• A good command of spoken and written English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community. You will also write scientific articles and your dissertation in English and participate in English-taught courses.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Additional Information
Benefits

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Selection process

Are you interested in joining this exciting collaboration? First check if a matching project specific vacancy is already published here . Can’t find a matching project specific vacancy? Apply via the application button and indicate your preferred project research line on the open application form. It is not required nor beneficial to apply to multiple vacancies within the project because the same selection committee will be reviewing all applications for this project. You are welcome to apply if you are available within 1-3 months or 3-12 months as we will be adjusting our hiring schedule depending on the matches.

With your application also upload:

• Concise and project-oriented motivation letter (max. half A4). General application letters will not be considered.
• Detailed CV (max. 2 pages).
• Copies of your BSc and MSc degrees and transcripts.
• Names and contact information of at least two relevant references. We will not contact references without your consent.

Please note:

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Additional comments

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Dr. Timon Fliervoet, System Architect at ASML and Guest Researcher at TU Delft via [email protected].

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/337067/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/337067/phd-positions-more-reliable-electron…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED