Research Engineer (Furnace and Nanofabrication Core Facility)

The Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM) at the National University of Singapore is a Research Centre of Excellence newly established in September 2021 for the conception, characterization, modeling, and development of new intelligent materials and transformative technologies. Helmed by two Directors who are world leaders in materials science and physics, the new institute aims to train and support a new generation of scientists and engineers who will have a permanent impact in science, society and business enterprise landscape worldwide. Well-funded and new, the institute is poised to build in a highly innovative and supportive research environment, providing plenty of opportunities to interact with experienced individuals in fields ranging from electrical engineering, materials science to physics, chemistry and biology working with state-of-the-art equipment and new platform technologies.
We are looking for a skilled and motivated research engineer with experience in material growth and device fabrication for scientific research. The selected candidate will assume responsibilities including (but not limited to) equipment training, experimental assistance and ensuring compliance to safety. This person is expected to work in close proximity to the chief facility manager, research scientists, procurement team and safety coordinator.

Furnace lab
For furnaces and other high temperature chambers:

• Learn the functionalities and train new users on operating all the furnaces, pumps, gas support and related systems
• Carry out regular pre-usage checks
• Oversee equipment status during operations
• Optimize the furnace parameters to improve experimental output and efficacy
• Manage and improve tool booking and utilization using the centralized booking calendar
• Support the management to implement and govern paid usage for certain equipment
• Support the facility manager to perform diagnostic tests and troubleshoot common errors, design and implement engineering modifications, engage vendors for periodic calibration and preventive maintenance of mass flow controllers, pumps, scrubber systems, and heat and gas extractors
• Support researchers to write standard operating procedures and risk assessments for new recipes
• Keep records of completed experiments, systematize a library of recipes for grown samples of materials
• Together with the users, perform routine cleaning and leak testing of the furnace tubes, piping, connectors, exhaust system and any spare components
• Maintain and oversee rational use stock of spare parts and consumables
• Prepare budget for management review and procure new tools, equipment upgrades, accessories and consumables
• In addition, this person is expected to serve as a fire warden, be in charge of managing the gas manifolds and be the first responder to the centralized gas alarm system
• This candidate is expected to serve the following equipment:
• 1200 degree C two-zone horizontal furnace
• 1200 degree C three-zone plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD)
• 1600 degree C one-zone horizontal furnace
• Vacuum drying oven with plasma (250 degree C)
• Muffle furnace (1100 degree C)
• Convection oven (300 degree C)
• Automatized module for graphene synthesis
• All accessories such as pumps, gas flow controllers and scrubbing system
• Any additional equipment installed in I-FIM for supporting material growth and synthesis

Engineering support to design, automate and innovate

• Design and produce customized parts to ensure safe functioning of the equipment in the whole range of temperatures and pressures
• Design technological models, calculation of process workflow and PID parameters to execute high throughput measurements
• Interface between researchers and equipment manufacturers for troubleshooting and customizing existing process
• Offer solutions on scaling up material production and testing
• Analyze existing facilities and design technical solutions together with equipment manufacturers to eliminate bottlenecks and improve efficiency
• Carry out acceptance test for designer equipment

• At least a Bachelor's in Sciences, Engineering or their equivalent from a reputable university (Masters preferable)
• Have at least three years' working experience in technical support and management, either in research labs or industry (manufacturing, aircon, wafer labs, etc)
• Experience in writing standard operating procedures and risk assessments will be considered a bonus
• Extensive experience in handling, operating and maintaining research grade equipment, especially high temperature furnaces and ovens
• Experience in synthesizing or working with 2D materials like graphene, TMDC and thin film deposition techniques would be considered bonus
• Good communication, organization and writing skills
• A good team player and keen to support colleagues and researchers in their activities
• Proactive with a hands-on approach
• The candidate should be willing to actively participate in fault finding and repair process for various equipment and services

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials

Department : Research Groups

Job requisition ID : 25687