Optical Lithography and Nanofabrication Engineer

ICFO is offering a Staff Research Engineer position for an experienced engineer with extensive expertise in optical lithography and nanofabrication. The successful candidate will be responsible for process development, operation, maintenance, user training and technical support of the optical lithography systems within the Nanofabrication Laboratory (NFL) at ICFO.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize lithography processes for different types of substrates and resists.
• Operate and maintain optical lithography systems.
• Train and support internal and external users.
• Develop new process recipes and characterization methodologies.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process-related issues.
• Participate in the installation, commissioning, and qualification of new equipment.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial users in device fabrication projects.

Candidates must hold, at the time of contract initiation, a Master’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, or a related discipline.

We are looking for candidates with demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Experience with maskless photolithography using digital micromirror device-based projection lithography systems (e.g., MLA150).
• Direct laser writing lithography.
• Grayscale lithography.
• Multilayer overlay and alignment.
• Computer-Aided Design.
• Photoresist chemistry and exposure dose mapping, particularly for grayscale lithography.
• Metrology and inspection (atomic force microscopy, mechanical and optical profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy).
• Process troubleshooting and yield optimization.
• Vacuum systems and cleanroom operation.
• Strong practical experience with nanofabrication processes, particularly thin-film deposition and dry etching.

A proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish and/or Catalan is considered an advantage.

What We Offer

• This is a full-time position.
• The contract offered will be a permanent contract for scientific and technical activities (ACT). A salary according to ICFO’s approved salary scales will be offered, commensurate with the level of the position and the candidate’s experience.

ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are selected exclusively on merit and potential on the basis of submitted application material. No restrictions related to disabilities, citizenship or gender apply to ICFO positions. ICFO abides by the principles of openness, efficiency, transparency, supportiveness, and international comparability as stated in the European Charter for Researchers and the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Suitable candidates are requested to submit:

• Presentation letter with a declaration of interest,
• Curriculum Vitae, including contact details, The contact e-mail of two potential referees.

The selection process will follow open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. It will consist of:

1. Eligibility check of applications.

2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language).

3. Interview with shortlisted candidates.

Candidates may contact jobs@icfo.eu for formal enquiries regarding the application, as well as address scientific enquiries to joel.moser@icfo.es. For updated information about ICFO, please visit https://www.icfo.eu.

Data Protection

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018, ICFO informs applicants that their personal data will be processed exclusively for recruitment purposes.

• Controller: Fundació ICFO – Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona).
• DPO: dpo@icfo.eu
• Legal basis: performance of a task in the public interest.
• Rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and opposition.
• Supervisory authority: Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) https://apdcat.gencat.cat.

All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).

Reference: 1133

31st of August, 2026