Two R&D Engineers

About the role

Are you a technical expert excited about new technology development and the creation of an international business from research? Would you like to play an active role in growing a deep tech startup? ATOMEL is a Research-to-Business project, with the goal of converting an academic innovation in the field of SPM for thin-film characterization and metrology with the specific focus on the semiconductor industry into a new business. The initial funding is for 18 months and is meant to prepare for commercialization. If successful, the project can lead to the creation of a startup. We are now inviting applications for two (2) R&D engineer positions. Position 1: R&D Engineer - SPM Instrumentation & Control Systems You will lead the hardware optimization and real-time control system development for the ATOMEL. This role focuses on implementing resonators, managing digital controllers, and integrating and optimizing custom force, I-V and C-V measurement channels to deliver fast, high-precision electrical and sub-nanometer resolution measurements. Position 2: R&D Engineer - Semiconductor Device Physics & Thin-Film Metrology You will lead the material characterization strategy and translate raw electrical data into actionable semiconductor insights. Focusing on advanced thin-film physics, nanoelectronics, and MOS structures, you will analyze high-precision I-V and C-V metrics to align our measurement capabilities with current industrial foundry trends and defect-tracking needs. Our goal is to build a balanced, two-person team with complementary skill sets and working in tandem. As such, the final distribution of responsibilities (for example technical development focus, leadership duties, possible customer interactions) will be adjusted based on the specific wishes, experience levels and core strengths of the two hired candidates. YOUR ROLE AND GOALS The R2B team has 3 full-time members: the two (2) roles covered with this job offer and a Business Developer acting as commercial lead. In practice, you will be part of the Soft Matter and Wetting group, and will receive guidance and support from Dr. Ali Afzalifar, as the person behind the innovation. After an initial onboarding phase, you are, however, expected to work with a high degree of autonomy. Position 1: SPM Instrumentation & Control Systems Tasks: Resonator Integration & Optimization: Integrate force sensors into the measurement head for simultaneous force and current tracking. PLL Feedback Loop Management: Set up, program, and tune PLL controllers to manage the resonance frequency, amplitude, and phase shifts of the quartz resonator during sample contact. Dynamic Signal Chain Integration: Integrate and shield low-noise preamplifiers and phase-sensitive detection hardware to safely isolate sub-picoamp signals and manage parasitic capacitance during active voltage sweeps. Automated Motion Control: Develop and implement real-time, deterministic control loops to manage high-speed nano-positioning stages and optimize automated sample-approach routines via low-latency hardware-software integration. Position 2: Semiconductor Device Physics & Thin-Film Metrology Tasks: Advanced Electrical Characterization: Execute and analyze high-resolution I-V and C-V scans on advanced thin films (such as high-k dielectrics, ferroelectrics, and ultra-thin passivating layers) to track sub-nanometer electrical leakage. MOS Physics Data Interpretation: Model and interpret dielectric breakdown, trapping kinetics, and interfacial defect densities from raw auto