The Materials and Component Analysis group (MCA) plays an important role within IMEC by providing feedback on materials modifications induced during various process steps. The MCA laboratory disposes over state-of-the-art equipment dedicated to semiconductor analysis (TEM, SIMS, TOFSIMS, AES, XPS, FIB, SSRM, AFM, RBS, ERD, SRP, nanoprobing...). as well as new facilities (CIPT, VSM, Polar Kerr,..) for the characterization of magnetic tunnel junctions, magnetic layers and materials. Faced with the demand for probing ultra thin layers and nanoscaled devices, Imec has invested also Atomprobe Tomography as one of the few methods with near-atomic scale spatial resolution.
In order to strengthen our activities related to MRAM-metrology, we are presently looking for a post-doctoral researcher with experience in Atomprobe tomography interested in further exploring APT in the challenging world of MRAM-technology.

Description

Company
Imec performs world-leading research in nano-electronics.

In addition to its activities on scaling device technologies, Imec is also exploring novel memory and device concepts thereby building on its extensive experience and capabilities in materials development and materials processing. Recently magnetic materials and their associated applications (MRAM, spin based devices,...) have established as an important part of Imec’s portfolio with substantial investment in processing and metrology capabilities.

Job description
- You will be responsible for the fundamental research and development of Atomprobe Tomography (APT) applications on magnetic materials and stacks. Your tasks will include:
- Development and optimization of procedures for APT-sample preparation.
- Development and optimization of APT experimental procedures targeting a quantitative analysis of the interaction of ultra thin films (1-2 nm) in a very heterogeneous matrix.
- Development of data interpretation procedures (reconstruction, cluster analysis,..) of APT to enhance information quality of APT data.
- Interact with process and device engineers to intercorrelate APT-metrology results to processing and materials concepts.
- Contribution to basic research in atom probe physics.
- Reporting to industrial partners.
- Publishing in international journals and contributing to major conferences.

The work will consist of experimental work in our clean room, data interpretation and interaction with other imec researchers. As part of the MCA team, it is expected that you gain knowledge in other characterization methods in order to optimize your data interpretation and your integration in the MCA team. 

Profile
- You have a PhD degree in Engineering/Physics. 
- Practical experience in APT is a requirement. Additional experience with MRAM and magnetic layer metrology is an asset while knowledge on microelectronics technology is beneficial but not mandatory. 
- The imec environment requires a good and flexible team player with competent communication skills. 
- The day-to-day contact with people from all over the world makes fluency in English a necessity.

Nr of positions available : 1

Research Fields

Engineering 
Physics

Career Stage

Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate) 

Research Profiles

First Stage Researcher (R1) 

Benefits

This postdoctoral position is funded by imec through the KU Leuven. Because of the specific financing statute which targets international mobility for postdocs, only candidates who did not stay or work/study in Belgium for more than 24 months in the past 3 years can be considered for the position (short stays such as holiday, participation in conferences, etc. are not taken into account).

We offer
We offer a challenging position for 2 years in an advanced high-tech environment and in an international, interdisciplinary team. Further, we offer the opportunity to contribute to technologies that will have an impact on the society of tomorrow. The salary is competitive. Furthermore, imec offers various training possibilities and social services, such as a company restaurant, the possibility of day care, and discounts in different sport clubs and shops.

Comment/web site for additional job details

Interested?
Apply online at www.imec.be/jobs.

Requirements

19/03/2015