{"id":1075900,"url":"https://alion.io/job/applied-materials-new-college-grad-physicistscientist-phd-santa-clara-ca--2","title":"New College Grad Physicist/Scientist (PhD - Santa Clara, CA_","company":{"id":2749,"name":"Applied Materials","domain":"appliedmaterials.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/applied-materials","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"is_intermediary":false,"ats_vendor":"Eightfold","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":89,"open_postings":497,"ghost_share":0.004,"stale_share":0.207,"repost_share":0.01,"time_to_fill_p50_days":69,"computed_at":"2026-09-24T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Santa Clara, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":138000,"max":190000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":190000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-22","last_verified_at":"2026-09-24T03:59:48Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":23,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":1,"flags":[],"days_open":23},"description":"Who We Are\nApplied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.\nWhat We Offer\nSalary:\n$138,000.00 - $190,000.00Location:\nSanta Clara,CAYou’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible-while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.\nAt Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.\nPosition Summary\nConducts scientific research and technology development in photonics, optics, optical metrology, and electromagnetic systems. Applies physics-based principles, modeling, simulation, and experimental methods to develop innovative optical solutions, improve system performance, and enable next-generation products.\nKey Responsibilities\nDesign, develop, and characterize optical and photonic systems, components, and architectures.\nPerform modeling and simulation of optical, electromagnetic, and photonic phenomena.\nDesign and execute experiments to validate theoretical predictions and system performance.\nAnalyze experimental and measurement data to identify performance limitations and optimization opportunities.\nDevelop novel optical metrology and sensing approaches.\nCollaborate with hardware, software, systems, and product engineering teams to integrate optical technologies into products.\nDrive technology innovation through invention disclosures, patent generation, and technical leadership.\nCommunicate technical findings through reports, presentations, and design reviews.\nEngage with academic, industrial, and research partners on advanced technology development.\nTypical Technical Areas\nIntegrated photonics\nSilicon photonics\nOptical metrology\nInterferometry\nOptical imaging systems\nFiber optics and optical communications\nLaser systems and beam delivery\nElectromagnetic modeling and simulation\nComputational optics\nOptical sensing and instrumentation\nNanophotonics and plasmonics\nMachine learning for optical system design and analysis\nQualifications\nPh.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related field.\nStrong background in optics, electromagnetics, or photonics.\nExperience with optical design and simulation tools (e.g., Zemax, Lumerical, COMSOL, FDTD/FEM platforms).\nProficiency in scientific programming and data analysis.\nDemonstrated ability to translate scientific concepts into practical engineering solutions.\nStrong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.\nSuccess Measures\nInnovation and technical contributions to optical technologies.\nPerformance improvements in photonic systems and measurement capabilities.\nQuality and rigor of scientific investigations.\nIntellectual property generation and technical leadership.\nEffectiveness in cross-disciplinary collaboration and product impact.\nAdditional Information\nTime Type:\nFull timeEmployee Type:\nNew College GradTravel:\nNot SpecifiedRelocation Eligible:\nYesThe salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.\nFor all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.\nApplied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.\nIn addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at ,or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5161,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Semiconductors"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-20T11:59:14Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-09-21T00:28:09Z"},{"event":"reopen","at":"2026-09-23T18:04:44Z"}],"liveness":{"score":76,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.759,"p_room":1,"age_days":23,"expected_fill_days":69,"reasons":["conf:1","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-24T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":190000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/applied-materials-new-college-grad-physicistscientist-phd-santa-clara-ca--2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/applied-materials-new-college-grad-physicistscientist-phd-santa-clara-ca--2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-24T07:23:03Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers"}}