Computational Plasma Physicist

Applied Materials•Santa Clara, CA

7d•$138,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Applied Materials is seeking a Computational Plasma Physicist to model and simulate low-temperature DC and RF plasmas and electromagnetic fields in semiconductor processing equipment. The work supports concept development, technology assessment, and product design. The role also involves developing, extending, validating, and testing internal plasma, electromagnetic, and multiphysics simulation codes, and using commercial simulation tools where appropriate. The physicist will analyze simulations against experimental data and recommend hardware design changes to improve plasma uniformity, stability, and process performance. The role explores physics-informed machine learning, surrogate modeling, and other data-driven approaches to speed simulation workflows and design optimization. The successful candidate will communicate insights to product development and engineering teams and act as a technical resource on plasma physics and electromagnetic phenomena. The position is based in Santa Clara, California, is full-time, and may involve travel approximately 10% of the time. Relocation is available. The salary range is $138,000–$190,000. The selected candidate's compensation may depend on location, hire grade, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity; candidates may also be eligible for bonus and stock awards.

Requirements

PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
0–3 years of relevant post-PhD experience; postdoctoral research counts toward experience.
Demonstrated experience in plasma physics simulation and modeling, preferably of low-temperature or partially ionized plasmas.
Experience developing or applying numerical methods for plasma, electromagnetic, or multiphysics problems, such as fluid, hybrid, or particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision models.
Proficiency in Python and at least one compiled language, C++ or Fortran.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of RF discharge physics, sheath dynamics, electron kinetics, or plasma chemistry and plasma–surface interactions.
Experience with RF/electromagnetic field simulation, such as finite element or finite-difference time-domain Maxwell solvers.
Experience with parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP, or GPU/CUDA) and high-performance computing environments.
Experience with scientific machine learning, surrogate modeling, physics-informed neural networks, or other data-driven approaches for computational physics.
Experience developing scientific software collaboratively, including version control (such as git), code review, and testing practices.

Responsibilities

Model and simulate low-temperature DC and RF plasmas, including inductively and capacitively coupled discharges, and electromagnetic fields in semiconductor processing equipment.
Develop, extend, validate, and test internal plasma, electromagnetic, and multiphysics simulation codes, and apply commercial simulation tools where appropriate.
Analyze simulation results, compare them with experimental data, and recommend hardware design changes to improve plasma uniformity, stability, and process performance.
Explore and apply physics-informed machine learning, surrogate modeling, and other data-driven methods to accelerate simulation workflows and design optimization.
Communicate modeling insights and recommendations to product development and engineering teams.
Serve as a technical resource on plasma physics and electromagnetic phenomena.