5-7 years of experience in semiconductor or MEMS process engineering or cleanroom operations.
Expertise in developing, characterizing, and troubleshooting plasma etch processes (ICP-RIE and/or DRIE).
Strong understanding of plasma physics and etch chemistry, along with hardware aptitude in vacuum, RF, and gas-delivery systems.
Familiarity with photolithography fundamentals and process integration across lithography, etch, and deposition.
Knowledge of cleanroom protocols and laboratory safety, including handling hazardous gases and corrosive chemicals.
Ability to train users with varying experience levels and strong communication skills.
Graduate research experience with relevant instrumentation is considered valuable.
Responsibilities
Serve as the process engineer for the Optoelectronic Processing Facility (OPF) cleanroom.
Manage and maintain OPF's plasma etch tools and photolithography area.
Develop and troubleshoot dry-etch processes on modern plasma etch platforms.
Ensure characterized and reproducible processes for over 30 research groups.
Collaborate with the OPF Lab Manager and report to the Technical Director.
Train and support users from diverse research backgrounds.
Diagnose and address process or tool drift issues effectively.
Benefits
Access to a state-of-the-art cleanroom facility.
Opportunity to work with a diverse research community.
Engagement with cutting-edge photonics research.
Collaboration with experienced faculty and industry professionals.
Potential for professional development and training opportunities.
Full Job Description
Job Description
The Boston University Photonics Center is a university-wide research center that houses 28+ faculty laboratories, four shared core facilities, a Business Innovation Center for photonics related startups and companies, and the work of more than 50 faculty members and 200 graduate students and postdoctoral associates. Its shared laboratories are open-access facilities serving researchers across the University and industry users, run by three Laboratory Managers under the Technical Director. This Lab Manager will serve as the process engineer for the Optoelectronic Processing Facility (OPF), the Center's 2,500 sq ft cleanroom and most heavily used core facility, supporting more than 30 research groups. The position is the primary owner of OPF's plasma etch tools (ICP-RIE, ICP-DRIE, and RIE) and of the class 100 photolithography area, whose primary exposure tool is a maskless direct-write aligner. It shares management of OPF with the OPF Lab Manager and reports to the Technical Director. Etch process expertise is the defining requirement. OPF's users depend on characterized, reproducible dry-etch processes and on expert diagnosis when a process or tool drifts; the successful candidate will be comfortable developing and troubleshooting processes on any modern plasma etch platform. Candidates with strong etch experience but limited lithography background are encouraged to apply.
Required Skills
Experience Required:
Demonstrated development, characterization, and troubleshooting of plasma etch processes (ICP-RIE and/or DRIE), including fluorine- and chlorine-based chemistries and deep silicon etching.
Working understanding of plasma physics and etch chemistry, and hardware aptitude with vacuum, RF, and gas-delivery systems.
Familiarity with photolithography fundamentals and process integration across lithography, etch, and deposition.
Working knowledge of cleanroom protocols and laboratory safety, including hazardous gases and corrosive chemicals.
Ability to train users of varying experience, strong communication skills, and a service-oriented approach to a diverse research community.
3-5 years in semiconductor or MEMS process engineering or cleanroom operations, with substantial hands-on responsibility for plasma etch process development.
Graduate research involving comparable instrumentation will be recognized as relevant experience.
Experience Preferred:
Experience in a multi-user academic core facility, foundry, or shared cleanroom; maskless or contact lithography; atomic layer etching; thin-film metrology; vendor and service-contract coordination.
Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, chemical engineering, or a related field required; Master's or PhD preferred.
About Boston University
Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is nonsectarian but maintains its historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1839 by Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont, before moving to Boston in 1867. The university now has more than 3,900 faculty members and nearly 33,000 students, and is one of Boston's largest employers. It offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and medical, dental, business, and law degrees through 17 schools and colleges on two urban campuses. BU is a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education and the Association of American Universities.
