Research Chemist

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The ECI Division at KLA delivers chemical metrology and process control solutions that enable precise monitoring and control of critical wet process steps in semiconductor and advanced packaging manufacturing. By providing real time chemical analysis and management systems, ECI helps customers prevent yield limiting defects, stabilize complex metallization and cleaning processes and support next generation device and packaging technologies.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

KLA is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Research Chemist to join our research and development team focused on advancing analytical technologies for the semiconductor industry. In this role, you will lead the development of next-generation chemical analyzers used to monitor and control critical process fluids in semiconductor manufacturing. Working at the intersection of chemistry, electrochemistry, instrumentation, and product development, you will drive scientific innovation from concept through commercialization, helping deliver differentiated solutions that enable our customers' most advanced manufacturing processes. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, publish technical work, contribute to intellectual property development, and make a significant impact on the future of semiconductor process analytics.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative chemical analyzers and quantitative analytical methods for measuring process fluids used in the semiconductor industry.
• Develop, optimize, and validate quantitative chemical measurement methods, with emphasis on accuracy, precision, sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, robustness, and reproducibility.
• Apply a strong foundation in analytical chemistry, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, and quantitative analysis to solve complex measurement and process-control challenges.
• Lead experimental investigations to establish method performance, measurement capability, detection limits, sources of variability, and analytical uncertainty.
• Design and execute statistically sound experiments; perform quantitative data analysis, interpret results, identify trends, and translate findings into robust analytical methods.
• Drive innovation in analytical methodologies and measurement technologies to improve the performance, reliability, and differentiation of ECI products.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with chemistry, engineering, software, and product teams to translate analytical methods into automated chemical analyzer systems.
• Troubleshoot complex analytical and chemical measurement problems using a combination of experimental data, chemical principles, statistical analysis, and root-cause investigation.
• Validate analytical methods developed in R&D and establish appropriate calibration, performance verification, and method acceptance criteria.
• Support product development and commercialization through laboratory testing, method transfer, technical documentation, and ongoing technical support.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, scientific publications, and presentations documenting analytical methods, experimental results, and conclusions.
• Present scientific and technical findings to internal teams, customers, and at technical conferences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Strong background in quantitative analytical chemistry, including demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, and validating chemical measurement methods.
• Demonstrated understanding of analytical method performance characteristics, including accuracy, precision, sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, detection/quantitation limits, robustness, reproducibility, and measurement uncertainty.
• Experience applying statistical and quantitative data-analysis techniques to analytical method development, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation and laboratory method development, ideally involving process-fluid or solution-phase chemical analysis.
• Experience with electrochemical analytical techniques, including voltammetry such as cyclic voltammetry and stripping methods, strongly preferred.
• Experience with additional quantitative analytical techniques such as titration, spectroscopy, chromatography, elemental analysis, or related instrumental methods is highly desirable.
• Ability to understand the underlying chemical principles and measurement mechanisms of analytical techniques rather than relying solely on instrument operation.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate complex analytical problems, identify sources of measurement variability or interference, and develop technically sound solutions.
• Ability to interpret complex experimental datasets and translate results into actionable conclusions and reliable analytical methods.
• Strong scientific communication skills, including technical writing, method documentation, scientific publications, and technical presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $106,000.00 - $155,467.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-NJ-Totowa-KLA

KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.

Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Use of AI Statement

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews-whether virtual or in person-is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.