PhD in Micromechanical experimental analysis of particle generation in silicon wafer handling

Introduction

Are you an engineer who wants to contribute to the high-tech, state-of-the-art micromechanical experimental analysis of microscopic wear of silicon during wafer handling? We are looking for an outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidate, with a strong experimental mechanics profile of excellence, to work on a challenging micro-mechanical testing project, in an exciting multidisciplinary team.

Job Description

Context
The yield of many manufacturing processes of micro- and nanoscale substrates depends highly on their cleanliness. Reduction of contaminating particles improves the overall efficiency and quality, thereby enabling the creation of larger structured substrates. Investing in the prevention of wear particles generation is a way to tackle this issue directly at the source, which is particularly relevant for wafer handling.

Silicon is a very complex material, undergoing multiple phase transformation, with some phases showing extensive plastic deformation, during mechanical loading and contact. The generation of particles is rooted in the complex fracture events spanning the various phases of silicon in various 3D stress configurations. A predictive model should properly account for the complex physics, damage and fracture. The loading conditions in contact and scratching are equally complex and need to be properly accounted for as well.

PhD project
The objective of this project is to extensively characterize the governing micromechanisms of phase transformation, plasticity, damage and fracture during the silicon particle detachment under contact conditions, enabling a quantitative assessment of the dominant influence factors and possible mitigation routes to control the detachment process. To achieve this goal, the project will use a dedicated in-situ scratch tester with in-situ scanning electron microscopy observation capabilities, which so far was used for indentation of silicon with only preliminary exploration of in-SEM scratching.

Building upon the preliminary in-situ SEM scratch exploration, the following extensions and improvements need to be made:

• Develop a method to measure the extent of silicon phase transformation and plasticity underneath a silicon micro-scratch, using electron backscatter diffraction or transmission Kikuchi diffraction on focused ion beam lift-outs of the scratch.
• Develop a method to quantify the volume and size distribution of wear particles, based on in-SEM scratch movies combined with atomic force microscopy of the corresponding scratches.
• Combine these methods to quantify phase transformation, plasticity, damage, fracture, and particle volume/sizes for the parameters space that is relevant for wafer handling.
• Map out the different regimes of silicon deformation and particle generation and formulate and validate a mitigation strategy to reduce particle generation.
• Determine the input parameters for the predictive modelling framework being developed in the numerical co-project, e.g. material parameters and the friction coefficient in the different scratch regimes.

The experimental campaign will be guided by the insights from numerical simulations. The interaction between the experimental project and the parallel modelling project, focused on simulating particle generation in silicon wafers, is therefore essential.

Section Mechanics of Materials
You will work in the section of Mechanics of Materials (MoM) (www.tue.nl/mechmat) at the department of Mechanical Engineering of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The MoM section is recognized worldwide for its high-level research on experimental analysis, theoretical understanding and predictive modelling of complex mechanical behavior in engineering materials at different length scales (e.g, plasticity, damage, fracture), which emerges from the physics and mechanics of the underlying multi-phase microstructure. An integrated numerical-experimental approach is generally adopted for this goal.

A state-of-the-art micromechanical testing infrastructure is in place for the experimental work in this project (www.tue.nl/multiscale-lab).

Job Requirements

• An outstanding, motivated, enthusiastic, curiosity-driven researcher. Deep analytical skills, initiative, creativity, and flexibility are highly desired.
• A MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
• A convincing and very strong background in experimental micromechanics, supported by excellent grades, is required. Candidates without such a background are discouraged to apply.
• Additional experience in materials science, metallurgy, microscopy, mechanical testing, continuum and computational mechanics, or structure-property relationships is of benefit.
• Interest to work in an interdisciplinary project, with a strong scientific profile, but in close coordination with industrial partners such as VDL ETG.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.

Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level). 

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks (including supervision of BSc and MSc students doing a research internship in support of your PhD project), with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering department conducts world-class research aligned with the technological interests of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brainport region. Our goal is to produce engineers who are both scientifically educated and application-driven by providing a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more about the scientific content of the PhD project? Please feel free to contact us: Prof. Johan Hoefnagels (j.p.m.hoefnagels@tue.nl), Prof. Marc Geers (m.g.d.geers@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.Gemini@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application package should include a:

• a Cover letter in which you briefly describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae, including:
  • the starting and end dates of your BSc and MSc study
  • a list of your publications
  • a brief description of your MSc thesis project
  • contact information of three references
    Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• the Official Grade Lists of your BSc. and MSc. education, listing all your courses taken and grades obtained.
• a separate list of your experience with continuum and computational mechanics in general and the following skills in particular:
  • materials and microstructure characterization,
  • microscopy and metallurgy,
  • (micro-)mechanical testing, in-situ testing and digital image correlation,
  • numerical analysis of experimental data,
  • Matlab/Python coding.

We look forward to receiving your application.  Closing date is January 10th, 2025, but we will screen applications as we receive them. Promising candidates may expect to be invited for an online interview.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.