Senior Process Engineer

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: Cardiff, WALES
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Advert

Senior Process Engineer
Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy

The Astronomy Instrumentation Group at Cardiff University is seeking applications to fill the position of Senior Process Engineer. 

This work will involve growing our fabrication capability at Cardiff through leading inhouse cleanroom process engineers in the new Institute of Compound Semiconductors (ICS) facility to develop the processing techniques required to produce the next generation of large format, superconducting detector arrays and filter-bank structures. These devices will require multi-layer processing with small feature sizes spanning 6” wafers. 

The process engineer will work within the active and diverse Astronomy Instrumentation Group (AIG) at Cardiff. The AIG has a rich heritage in the area of mm and submm instrumentation, making considerable contributions to many high-profile ground, balloon and space-based experiments. 

The role will include assisting in broadening the capabilities of the ICS into superconductor device fabrication using new tools being purchased for our new cleanroom facility located in the Cardiff Translational Research Hub coming on-line this summer, as well as using a new bespoke large-area, UHV deposition system being built exclusively for superconductor film growth.  

Applicants are strongly advised to contact the PI Dr Simon Doyle ahead of application and we reserve the right to close this application early.

For examples of activity and projects within the Astronomy Instrumentation group, please click on the Technology links from the link below:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/research/research-groups/chart

For information regarding the facilities of the Institute of Compound Semi-Conductors and the Translational Research Hub, please see the link below:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/institute-compound-semiconductors

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available from 1 April 2022 and is fixed term until 31 March 2025.

Salary: £43,434 - £50,296 per annum (Grade 7)

Job ref: 13720BR

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Simon Doyle ([email protected]) or Courtney Watkins ([email protected]

For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy please contact Physics HR ([email protected])

Date advert posted: Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Closing Date: Monday, 2 May 2022

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

Cardiff University and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds. We strongly welcome female applicants and those from any ethnic minority group, as they are underrepresented 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. 


Job Description

Job Purpose

The key purpose of this role is to lead and develop fabrication techniques to realise the next generation of superconducting devices for astronomy instrumentation. Through the development of robust device fabrication processes and complete device process flows for both existing and new devices, the post will bring new capability to the Astronomy Instrumentation Group’s on-going research and development of state-of-the-art superconducting detectors and microwave signal processing. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties

⦁    Creatively develop device fabrication processes and complete device fabrication process flows to service the needs of the Astronomy Instrumentation Groups (AIG) detector development program, and collaborative research.
⦁    Assist with the management of day-to-day cleanroom operations; overseeing operations of tools and processes, ensuring that all the cleanroom objectives are communicated and engaged with; planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required to ensure the processing requirements of the AIG are met and standards maintained.
⦁    Collaborate with others, including internal and external researchers to develop processes and procedures used within the cleanroom and to pursue the implementation of new techniques needed for industry / research using existing equipment.
⦁    Make recommendations on the acquisition of new equipment and parts to execute processes developments more effectively, efficiently, and accurately for the emerging capability of superconducting device fabrication at Cardiff.
⦁    To supervise and develop other research staff within the cleanroom environment and provide guidance in your own specialist area and develop and deliver training within the cleanroom environment
⦁    Gather and analyse data to inform decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports as appropriate.
⦁    Assist with defining the technical specifications and price for new equipment and oversee installation of such equipment, and to ensure that the required facilities are in place prior to new equipment installation
⦁    Ensure safe operation of the cleanroom and compliance with School and University Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity requirements
⦁    Contribute to the long-term strategic planning and management of the AIG’s detector development and fabrication program, interpreting school/directorate strategy into work priorities and setting the standards for the group.
⦁    Establish working relationships with key contacts; industrial, commercial, public-sector organisations, professional institutions and other academic institutions etc., to raise awareness of the device fabrication capabilities at Cardiff
⦁    Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance

General Duties

⦁    Ensure that an understanding of the importance of research integrity and standards are 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    


Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education

1.    Degree / NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership / experience  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.    Substantial cleanroom experience in a device fabrication environment
3.    Knowledge of superconductor /thin film device fabrication methods and tools
4.    Able to demonstrate professional knowledge within this specialist discipline and to give advice and guidance to internal and external researchers.
5.    Knowledge or good awareness of process control
6.    Extensive knowledge of safety regulations and requirements

Communication and Team Working

7.    Ability to communicate and work with teams carrying out multidisciplinary research
8.    Experience of managing several teams, balancing multiple objectives and priorities

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving

9.    Proven experience in dealing with diverse and challenging problems, including researching issues and creating new solutions where no prior precedent exists
10.    Evidence of ability to plan work reacting to changes in workload and strategic direction of the AIG

Desirable Criteria 

11.    Experience of advanced superconductor material growth and characterisation.
12.    Knowledge of cryogenic device physics
13.    Ability to design device lithography mask sets
14.    Experience with trouble shooting fabrication tools.



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