Storage memory reliability (NAND) researcher

Enabling new memories technologies through device reliability characterization and modelling

What you will do

The accelerating trend towards digitalization has led to an explosion in demand for memory devices, leading them to surpass even logic devices in terms of market share. The growth of non-volatile flash memories has been mainly achieved by improving 3DNAND cells, the main component of solid-state memories, through the enhancement of memory density and access speeds at increasingly lower costs per bit. Imec actively contributes to the roadmap of 3DNAND flash through the evaluation of novel materials and processes for the continuation of memory density and cost scaling. The adoption of any new material, or process, requires an in-depth understanding of their impact on the initial device performance and reliability. Crucial for this evaluation is the understanding about defects, and their associated degradation mechanisms, and the impact on device operation and lifetime.
The researcher will work in the front-end reliability team at imec. He/she will have mainly two responsibilities:
Firstly, the researcher will perform advanced characterization in flash memory devices produced with new materials and processes to help understand their impact on device operation (retention, read noise, ...) at time zero and after accelerated testing. This activity comprises detailed DC and AC characterization with in-house developed techniques for the characterization of the energy and kinetics of defects. In the future it is foreseen the development of ultra-fast measurement techniques.
Secondly, the researcher will develop models to translate the impact of defects on device operations at time zero and throughout its lifetime both at cell and string level. These models can range from simplistic analytical models to more detailed TCAD implementations.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

The applicant must have:

• A PhD in physics, materials, or electrical engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of semiconductor device physics.
• Notions of MOSFET reliability and statistics.
• Excellent programming skills (Python, Igor and/or Perl).
• Team player spirit: within this multiscale cross-disciplinary project, the researcher will be part of a large imec group working in collaboration with industrial partners.
• Experience in data analysis, measurement development and software testing/implementation are also important, but not mandatory.