Nanofabrication Technologist

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The internal application deadline is Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 11:59pm

This position is contingent on funding.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

This is a senior technical staff position with responsibility for ensuring the success of nanofabrication in support of multiple research projects in the Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) research group. The Nanofabrication Technologist will conceptualize, design and fabricate leading edge nanoelectronic devices based on semiconductors and superconductors. They will develop new nanofabrication processes that enable research goals to be met by specified deadlines, and also benefit the broader University of Waterloo Nano Fabrication community through consultation and the sharing of fabrication methods. They will provide recommendations to inform high-level decision making. The role will primarily involve work in a clean room environment, and secondarily in the PI’s research laboratory. The candidate will play a key role in scientific analysis and dissemination activities such as writing publications and technical reports. They will ensure continuity of knowledge by rigorous documentation and establishment of best practices. The candidate will regularly train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in nanofabrication methods and process development, ensuring high quality output from the entire research group. The role will also be responsible for ensuring the safe operation of tools and processes by trainees.

Key Accountabilities

Development of advanced semiconductor and superconductor nanofabrication processes:

• Conceptualizes and designs advanced nanoelectronic devices to meet research goals
• Develops complete and successful nanofabrication processes for multiple projects on different material platforms including various semiconductors and superconductors
• Independently manages device fabrication and delivers high quality processed full wafers
• Prepares detailed and complete process documentation for continuity of knowledge and training
• Performs troubleshooting of issues related to material properties or challenging processing steps to find solutions

Key support for multiple ongoing research projects:

• Performs device characterization using laboratory equipment
• Maintains laboratory equipment
• Fabricates devices in support of national and international research collaborations with regular deadlines
• Key contributor to research related documents, including journal publications and technical reports
• Performs critical analysis and interpretation of research data
• Designs, modifies and performs complex experiments and systems and/or uses technically advanced procedures and conducts analysis and interpretation
• Identifies, assesses and troubleshoots issues with fabrication tools, finding solutions in consulation with facility staff when necessary

Training of highly qualified personnel:

• Establishes best practices in processing and process development and ensures that research personnel under their direction follow these practices
• Trains research team members and directs them in their process development
• Work with multiple students and postdocs on a regular basis to ensure team members’ fabrication results are world-class

Safety:

• Responsible for monthly laboratory safety checks for the PI’s lab
• Conducts safety training for new research team members
• Establishes safe operation of tools and fabrication processes through written SOPs
• Ensures that trainees conduct nanofabrication processes safely

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline
• Degree in the field of study related to the research being conducted
• This role requires qualified knowledge in the areas of Nanotechnology and Quantum Information Science

Experience

• At least four years of full-time experience in cleanroom based nanofabrication.
• Demonsrated ability to perform complex tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proven proficiency in conducting training in all areas of nanofabrication.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Knowledge of University of Waterloo policies and procedures is an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong computer skills and knowledge of software applications used in device design and simulation (e.g. KLayout), and office/lab applications such as word, excel and powerpoint.
• Proven high-quality interactions with faculty, staff and students.
• Proven aptitude for attention to detail.
• Demonstrated decision-making skills, including the ability to ask probing questions and anticipate needs.
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written.
• Supervisory and leadership experience in a lab setting.
• Ability to prioritize multiple demands with competing deadlines.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.