Lead Scientist, Formulation

Entegris•Aurora, IL

3d•$124,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Entegris is seeking a Lead Scientist, Formulation to join the Formulated Solutions R&D group in the Technology & Innovation organization within the Materials Solutions Business. The role is based at an Entegris facility and applies broad technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of CMP and pCMP mechanisms to address customer and product-development challenges. The Lead Scientist will lead critical project deliverables, define experimental strategies, and translate structure-performance relationships into differentiated products and process solutions. The position leads technical innovation and product development, including developing mechanistic understanding of CMP and pCMP performance and directing statistically robust experiments. It also supports customer success and commercialization through evaluations, technical packages, scale-up, technology transfer, qualification, and new product introduction. The role provides technical mentorship and cross-team leadership, while maintaining strong EHS, chemical-handling, quality, and documentation practices. Travel may be required up to 10%, including to customer sites and global technology or manufacturing locations, based on business needs.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Surface Science, or a related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with at least 7 years; or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 9 years. Equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Hands-on experience in CMP slurry development, pCMP cleaning development, CMP process development, wet etch formulations, or closely related semiconductor surface-processing technology.
Knowledge of surface chemistry, colloid and interfacial science, particle behavior under polishing, chemical-mechanical interactions, corrosion control, residue removal, and defect mechanisms.
Working knowledge of electrochemistry to identify how slurry or pCMP cleaning components can minimize or eliminate corrosion on metal layers.
Proficiency with statistical analysis tools such as JMP or Minitab to develop robust screening DOEs and predictive models that define stable formulation design spaces while meeting customer requirements.
Basic knowledge of current AI tools and comfort using in-house AI agents to accelerate innovation cycles.
Experience connecting formulation composition and process conditions to removal rate, selectivity, defects, surface quality, cleaning efficiency, and product robustness.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technically complex information in English to global teams and customers.
Strong commitment to laboratory safety, data integrity, intellectual property protection, and disciplined technical documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with semiconductor materials such as metals, dielectrics, barrier or liner films, and advanced interconnect materials.

Responsibilities

Establish structure-property-performance relationships involving abrasive particles, oxidizers, inhibitors, complexing agents, polymers, surfactants, dispersants, and cleaning additives.
Develop mechanistic understanding of material removal, selectivity, defectivity, corrosion, residue removal, particle removal, surface modification, and formulation stability.
Design and direct statistically robust experiments, including DOE and multivariate analysis, and integrate wafer, coupon, analytical, and formulation data to guide development decisions.
Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for complex slurry, cleaning, process, equipment, scale-up, and customer-performance issues.
Partner with Cleanroom Engineering teams to design and execute CMP and pCMP evaluations on relevant films, substrates, test wafers, and patterned wafers.
Work with Chief Solutions Designers to prepare technical packages for discussions with external customers during Technical Review Meetings.
Support raw-material selection, formulation robustness, scale-up, technology transfer, product qualification, and New Product Introduction.
Drive intellectual property creation through invention disclosures, patent-filing support, detailed technical documentation, and protection of proprietary know-how through trade secrets.
Provide technical mentorship to scientists, engineers, and technicians and help establish best practices for experimental rigor, data quality, and laboratory execution.
Build productive global networks and influence technical direction across teams without relying on direct authority.
Maintain exemplary EHS, chemical-handling, quality, and documentation practices and actively strengthen a safety-first culture.
Travel up to 10%, including to customer sites and global technology or manufacturing locations, based on business needs.