Research Engineer I/II (Open Rank)

Overview

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nations top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech Mission and Values

Georgia Tech mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

About the Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS)

The Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS), an Interdisciplinary Research Institute at Georgia Tech, solves societal, technological, and scientific challenges by integrating knowledge, methods, and expertise across disciplines:

• Fundamental science to comprehend and control matter from the nanoscale to the mesoscale.
• The synthesis, processing, and characterization of materials to achieve desired properties.
• The design and fabrication of novel devices and components with enhanced capabilities.
• The integration of materials, devices, and components into larger systems.
• Computing, modeling, simulation, and big data to advance progress at all length scales.
• Integration of economic, business, and social factors to ensure sustainable and equitable benefits in all stages of research, from conceptualization to impact.

IMS enables interdisciplinary research in areas including:

• Microelectronic technologies that efficiently sense, process, store, and communicate information while addressing issues related to security, privacy, and inequality.
• Built environment technologies for sectors such as automotive, infrastructure and energy that enhance strength, sustainability, reliability, resiliency, and efficiency.
• Human-centric technologies that improve human health, wellness, and performance.
• Frontiers in research infrastructure such as characterization, modeling, simulation, and artificial intelligence that impact numerous technologies.

Atlanta, GA

The Research Engineer at IMS Cleanrooms will support micro- and nanofabrication research by maintaining, optimizing, and developing semiconductor processing techniques. This role involves hands-on work in IMS cleanroom facilities, supporting academic and industrial users, conducting process development, and ensuring the efficient operation of fabrication equipment. The engineer will also contribute to training programs and collaborative research projects.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cleanroom Operations & Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain and troubleshoot microfabrication equipment, including lithography (mask aligners, direct-write systems), thin-film deposition (ALD, PVD, CVD), etching (RIE, ICP), and metrology tools (SEM, profilometry, ellipsometry).
• Perform regular equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and process qualifications to ensure tool reliability.

2. Process Development & Optimization

• Develop, optimize, and document semiconductor fabrication processes, including photolithography, etching, deposition, plating and wafer bonding.
• Establish process baselines and improve process reproducibility for researchers and industry users.
• Assist in troubleshooting process-related issues and implement improvements.

3. User Support & Training

• Train students, researchers, and external users on cleanroom protocols and tool operations.
• Provide guidance on fabrication techniques and process optimization for academic and industrial projects.
• Develop training materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety guidelines for cleanroom users.
• Ensure all cleanroom users follow IMS safety protocols, chemical handling guidelines, and hazardous material regulations.

4. Research & Collaboration

• Participate in research projects and collaborate with faculty, industry partners, and funding agencies.
• Assist in writing research papers, technical reports, and grant proposals.

5. Facility & Process Improvement

• Contribute to continuous improvements in cleanroom efficiency, process yield, and operational workflow.
• Help implement new tools, techniques, and workflows to enhance the research capabilities of IMS cleanrooms.
• Assist in organizing workshops, symposiums, and outreach events to promote cleanroom research.

This position vacancy is an open rank announcement. Final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook (https://www.policylibrary.gatech.edu/faculty-handbook/3.2.1-research-faculty-hiring-and-promotion-guidelines)

Research Engineer I

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering/science or related field.

Research Engineer II

• A masters degree in science, engineering or related area, and three (3) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of that degree, or
• A masters degree in science, engineering or related area, and five (5) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of a bachelors degree, or
• A Doctoral degree

• Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in semiconductor fabrication, or nanofabrication in cleanroom environments.
• Hands-on expertise with at least one major semiconductor process: lithography, etching, deposition, plating or metrology.

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of micro/nanofabrication techniques, semiconductor processing, and cleanroom operations.
• Hands-on experience with lithography tools (mask aligners, direct-write lithography), thin-film deposition (ALD, PVD, CVD), and etching (RIE, ICP, wet etching).
• Proficiency in SEM, ellipsometry, profilometry, and other metrology techniques.
• Familiarity with AUTOCAD, K-Layout or any design software, MATLAB

Soft Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities for process and equipment-related challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to interact with students, researchers, and industry users.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work efficiently in a fast-paced research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in an academic cleanroom or research facility or in Fab Industry.
• Knowledge of lithography techniques and advanced semiconductor device fabrication.
• Prior experience in training users on cleanroom processes and tool operations.
• Experience in writing research papers, technical reports, and proposals.

Please list 3 professional references.

For additional information about this job opening, please contact Cecelia Jones, Cecelia.jones@gatech.edu .

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

More information on these policies can be found here: https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/c2714 Board of Regents Policy Manual | University System of Georgia (usg.edu).

The candidate of choice will be required to pass a pre-employment background screening. http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening.