ICS Cleanroom Process Engineer

1. We are seeking to recruit a process engineer to join the Institute of Compound Semiconductors (ICS) 
2. You'll carry out established semiconductor device fabrication processes to service the needs of commercial customers, principal investigators (PI) and collaborators.
3. You will have an established expertise and a proven portfolio of cleanroom device fabrication skills, in particular knowledge of lithography, metrology and deposition techniques such as PVD.

We are seeking to recruit a process engineer to join the Institute of Compound Semiconductors (ICS) 

We are a Europe-leading capability for compound semiconductor fabrication, based in our brand new cleanroom at Cardiff University’s Translational Research Hub. The cleanroom is available on an open access basis to researchers and industry alike, for the development of research excellence into practical, manufacturable devices and integrated subsystems for optoelectronic and electronic device applications. 

In this post you will follow and implement new fabrication processes and will be expected to establish process control methodologies to monitor performance and yield, and to maintain process capability. You will have an established expertise and a proven portfolio of cleanroom device fabrication skills, in particular knowledge of lithography, metrology and deposition techniques such as PVD. Knowledge/experience of PECVD and ALD would also be an advantage.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 18166BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance 18859BR.

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is open-ended.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6) 

Date advert posted: Friday, 27 September 2024

Closing date: Friday, 25 October 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

We strongly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority group, as they are under-represented in our School. The School of Physics & Astronomy has a Juno Practitioner accreditation that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. The University is committed to ensuring that we sustain a positive working environment for all staff to flourish and achieve. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of procedures to support staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. Applications are welcome from individuals who wish to work part-time or full time.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Key Duties

• Carry out established semiconductor device fabrication processes to service the needs of commercial customers, principal investigators (PI) and collaborators.
• Provide professional advice and guidance on established semiconductor fabrication processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood
• Assist with the management of day to day cleanroom operations and operation of tools and processes
• Take responsibility for resolving equipment and process issues independently where they fall within set role objectives
• Investigate and analyse specific equipment and process issues, creating recommendation reports.
• Collaborate with others, including internal and external customers, to support the implementation of new techniques needed for industry / research using existing equipment
• Make recommendations on the acquisition of new equipment and parts in order to execute processes developments more effectively, efficiently and accurately as appropriate
• Establish working relationships with research staff and customers, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required
• To deliver training within the cleanroom environment, instructing and guiding employees on cleanroom processes and procedures as required
• Undertake data collection and prepare data in an appropriate format to help inform decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports as appropriate.
• Assist with generation of technical specifications for new equipment and support the installation of such equipment. 
• Ensure that the provision of semiconductor device fabrication is delivered to the ICS and its customers, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements
• Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to achieve objectives of the ICS
• Plan and deliver specific small-scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as needed
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department
• Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate your role and which will enhance performance
• General Duties
• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Ensure safe operation of the cleanroom and compliance with School and University Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity requirements
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role