About this opportunity
Entegris lists this Material Characterization Scientist opportunity in aurora, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Job Title: Material Characterization Scientist
Entegris is currently seeking a Polymer Characterization Scientist, CMP Pad to join our Materials Solutions Division R&D team. This position will be based at our Aurora (Greater Chicago Area) facility.
In this role, you will develop and advance fundamental understanding of the mechanical and rheological behavior of polymer systems used in CMP pad materials. You will lead the development of metrology capabilities and analytical frameworks that enable deep insight into structure-property relationships, supporting improved product design, consistency, and performance.
What You'll Do
Metrology & Method Development
Develop, optimize, and standardize mechanical testing methods (e.g., DMA, stress‑strain, creep, oscillatory rheology) for CMP pad materials across development and manufacturing environments
Establish rheological characterization protocols (e.g., cure kinetics, viscoelastic behavior, frequency/temperature sweeps) to understand polymer network formation and processing sensitivity
Define and implement measurement best practices, calibration methods, and inter‑lab correlation to ensure data consistency and reproducibility
Establish Structure‑Property‑Performance Relationship
Correlate mechanical and rheological properties to CMP performance metrics
Build property‑performance models to enable material design targets and process control windows
Support root‑cause investigations for yield, consistency, and customer performance issues using quantitative metrology data
Data & Modeling
Work with scientists and engineers in product design and production to design and execute DOE‑based studies to isolate key variables affecting mechanical properties
Develop data analysis workflows and predictive models; establish databases and visualization tools to enable data‑driven decision making across teams
Cross‑functional and External Collaboration
Partner with formulation scientists, process engineers, and application teams to translate metrology insights into actionable products and process improvements guidance
Work with manufacturing teams to transfer lab‑scale metrology into production‑relevant measurements
Collaborate with instrument vendors and external partners to evaluate and deploy new characterization capabilities
Communication & Technical Leadership
Document and communicate findings through technical reports, standards, and presentations to internal and external stakeholders
Contribute to metrology strategy and roadmap, identifying gaps and future capability needs
Mentor team members on best practices in mechanical testing, rheology, and data interpretation
What We Seek
PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science or related field required
3+ years of post‑graduate industry experience in polymer structural characterization, mechanical testing and rheology; Successful developed test methods, measurement systems, or analytical approaches
Hands‑on experience with characterization techniques such as thermal‑mechanical testing, rheometer, tensile and fatigue testing, and compression and flexural testing with demonstrated ability to design and troubleshoot experiments
Strong understanding of polymer mechanical and viscoelastic behavior, including structure‑property relationships and the impact of network formation, crosslinking, and formulation on material performance
Practical experience in Design of Experiments (DOE), data analysis, and problem solving
Experience with thermoset, thermoplastic, elastomeric, or filled polymer systems preferred
Knowledge of CMP or semiconductor processes is a plus, but not required
Self‑motivated, collaborative, and able to operate effectively in a cross‑functional, fast‑paced environment
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical findings into practical recommendations
What We Offer
Generous 401(K) plan with an impressive employer match
Excellent health, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs
Flexible work schedule and 11 paid holidays a year
Paid time off (PTO) policy that empowers you to take the time you need to recharge
Education assistance to support your learning journey
Values‑driven culture with colleagues that rally around People, Accountability, Creativity and Excellence.
Compensation: $114,000-$144,000, dependent on candidate skillset and experience.
At Entegris we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and applicants. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, and reward employees for their individual abilities, achievements and experience without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital or military status.
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Worksite address
aurora, IL, 60505, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.