Job Details

Job Title: Staff MOCVD Scientist

Work Location: Harris County, Texas

Summary:

The Staff MOCVD Scientist will lead advanced scientific investigations to enhance MOCVD deposition capabilities, develop innovative diagnostics and modeling approaches, and utilize statistical and machine learning techniques to improve film quality, throughput, and reproducibility. This role involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to translate scientific insights into scalable manufacturing processes for high-temperature superconducting platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Design and execute scientific investigations to optimize MOCVD processes for thin-film deposition using advanced precursors.
• Establish and analyze precursor decomposition pathways and reaction mechanisms influencing film growth.
• Investigate gas-phase chemistry, surface kinetics, and transport phenomena affecting deposition behavior.
• Define and refine process windows to maximize film quality, uniformity, reproducibility, and throughput.
• Implement and interpret in-situ and ex-situ diagnostics to understand deposition chemistry and process behavior.
• Apply design-of-experiments methodologies and predictive modeling to evaluate and improve process parameters.
• Collaborate with engineering and process teams to enhance precursor delivery, reactor design, and process control strategies.
• Mentor engineers and scientists, lead cross-functional investigations, and document experimental findings for internal knowledge sharing.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 4 years of relevant experience in MOCVD or related vapor deposition processes (advanced degree may substitute for experience).
• Demonstrated expertise in thin film growth mechanisms and reaction chemistry precursor decomposition.
• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or related field preferred.
• Recognized expertise in the field and contributions to external collaborations.
• Direct experience with YBCO or complex oxide superconducting films, including pinning centers.
• Experience with high-molecular-weight solid precursors and in-situ diagnostic techniques.
• Experience developing or modifying MOCVD reactor hardware.
• Familiarity with kinetic modeling, computational chemistry, and reaction pathway modeling.
• Experience using machine learning for process development and programming skills (JMP, Python, MATLAB, or similar).
• Strong understanding of gas-phase kinetics, surface chemistry, and reactor transport phenomena.
• Hands-on experience with thin-film characterization techniques.
• Strong experimental design, statistical analysis capability, scientific judgment, and innovation mindset.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and serve as a trusted mentor and communicator.