Materials Scientist II

About the Role

D-Wave is seeking a creative, energetic, and self-motivated Materials Scientist to join our Processor Development (PD) team. The PD team is composed of experienced and talented superconducting designers, fabrication engineers, software developers and scientists who work together to create the processors at the heart of our quantum computer and are constantly pushing the boundaries of the technology of the future.

In this challenging and exciting position, you will work with a multi-disciplinary team and regularly communicate and collaborate with other processor development scientists, device designers, engineers, cryogenic experts and applications developers. You will perform failure analysis of superconducting chips made in CMOS fabrication facilities, characterize materials using advanced characterization techniques and cross-functionally support technical teams with materials-related issues such as chip packaging.

Your work will support the development of new materials and fabrication stacks for superconducting quantum computing.

• Failure Analysis of superconducting chips made in CMOS fabrication facilities using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM)
• Determine the best analysis technique to answer specific questions during failure analysis and materials development, including techniques like Raman, IR, XPS, EDS, EELS, XRD, AES, AFM, and others
• Analyze/interpret data generated by materials characterization methods, using standard materials science knowledge of fields like crystallography, atomic-level material structure, materials defects, and imaging artifacts
• Collaborate with device physicists and fabrication engineers to understand fabrication and material defects and how they affect circuit behavior, including designing and carrying out experiments
• Regularly and clearly document experimental results for the broader processor development team
• Conduct analysis of new materials systems, Design of Experiment output materials, and new fabrication stacks. Use literature and modeling to inform and guide development of new materials
• Coordinate and organize packaging sample preparation and tracking, and troubleshoot packaging and materials-related issues as they arise
• Communicate and collaborate with other internal teams at D-Wave including marketing, intellectual property, applications development and engineering

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in materials science, chemistry, physics or a related science or engineering discipline
• Strong hands-on experience with FIB-SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)
• Strong critical thinking and technical problem-solving skills
• Skill in independent research and evidence of deep understanding in materials science
• An ability to come up to speed in new technical topics quickly and effectively
• Some experience using software to model or fit data
• A collaborative mindset and a demonstrated ability to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team, on a wide variety of problems
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, including experience with summarizing experimental results for a broad audience
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities in a time-sensitive environment

• Background in TEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR
• Experience in failure analysis of microelectronics
• Experience with noise models and characterization

• We look at the future and say “why not”; we see possibilities where others see problems or routines. We show the way ahead and are committed to achieving ambitious goals.
• We practice straight talk and listen generously to each other with empathy. We value different opinions and points of views. We ensure that we connect outside as well as inside to learn from others and inspire each other.
• We hold ourselves accountable for delivering results. We make decisions & take responsibility so that we can act & support each other.
• As leaders we motivate & engage our teams to undertake beyond what they originally thought possible, by developing our teams & creating the conditions for people to grow and empower themselves through enabling & coaching.