Applications Scientist/Engineer

Location: Durham, UK

Bruker is enabling scientists and engineers to make breakthrough post‑genomic discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker’s high‑performance scientific instruments and high‑value analytical and diagnostic solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular, and microscopic levels. In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, improved productivity, and customer success in post‑genomic life science molecular and cell biology research, in applied and biopharma applications, in microscopy and nanoanalysis, as well as in industrial and cleantech research, and next‑gen semiconductor metrology in support of AI.

We are seeking an Applications Scientist to support our X‑ray activities, primarily in HRXRD, XRD, XRR and XRT, in Durham UK. Bruker’s Semiconductor X‑ray group is the leader in advanced X‑ray and other metrology for the silicon and compound semiconductor industries. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of X‑ray tools, based on technologies including XRD (X‑ray diffraction) and HRXRD (High Resolution X‑Ray Diffraction), XRT (X‑ray topography), XRR (X‑ray reflectometry), XRF (X‑ray fluorescence), and XCD (X‑ray Critical Dimensions).

Responsibilities

• Provides specialist technical support particularly through demonstrations of product capabilities (hardware and software) but also via sales presentations, customer training and support and qualification of company X‑ray products.
• Assists customers with assessing potential applications of company products to meet process metrology needs via the demo process, presentations and discussions.
• Works with our customers from before the sale, through demonstration measurements, delivery and installation to specialist user support for applications.
• Ensures that the product application/solution is functioning according to specifications including source inspection of the tools prior to shipment and following installation.
• Applications development based on customer requirements to demonstrate feasibility of the application, often requiring rapid demos.
• Develops and disseminates Best Known Methods.
• Supports the core technology, engineering and production teams in qualification of new technologies, algorithms, methodologies, software and hardware features.
• Supports Product Managers in preparing detailed product specifications for the development and implementation of customer applications/solutions.
• Feeds back customer requirements and interests for hardware and software development.
• Provides follow‑up support to company sales staff and customer service personnel by disseminating technical information on specific applications.

Qualifications

• Degree in physics, chemistry, material science or engineering (B.Sc. minimum, Masters or higher degree preferred).
• Fluent in English with experience in technical communication (writing, presenting, discussing, listening).
• Good knowledge of basic crystallography/crystal structure, interference of waves; knowledge of thermodynamics, kinetics, diffusion, etc.; experience/understanding of deposited electronic layers is an advantage.
• Experience of metrology and characterisation techniques (preferably hands‑on work and results analysis).
• Experience in X‑ray materials characterisation techniques is an advantage.
• Experience with problem analysis and troubleshooting techniques.
• Experience of working in the semiconductor industry and in a fab is an advantage.
• Experience in reconciling results of similar measurements by different techniques preferred.
• Good knowledge of statistics and data analysis.
• Able to understand the problems that our customers are trying to solve, understand the customer’s current and future metrology requirements, and recommend new metrology opportunities to Bruker.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Positive “can do” attitude, a highly motivated self‑starter.
• Critical thinking, problem solving, creative approaches to troubleshooting.
• Quick learner and keen to learn.
• Resourceful, proactive, able to take initiative, meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to be creative under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Good organisational skills; able to manage priorities and multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Clear communication and description of problems and solutions, with both customers and colleagues (local and overseas).
• Strong team player as part of a multi‑disciplinary team focused on achieving shared goals, able to work independently when required.
• Strong orientation towards meeting customer expectations.
• Strong customer‑facing skills, in the creation and delivery of presentations of data and marketing materials and in obtaining customer feedback.
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly inter‑cultural awareness.
• Ability to interface with internal and external customers and support groups within Bruker.
• Goal‑oriented with good track record of achieving targets on time.
• Good IT literacy; familiarity with file transfer, word processing, spreadsheets, etc.
• Willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally, sometimes at short notice. Expect up to approx. 20% travel over a year.