Scientist, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)/ Nanoindentation

Eurofins EAG Laboratories has over 40 years of experience in engineering and materials testing services. Our parent company, Eurofins Scientific, is a multi-billion-dollar global leader in engineering and scientific services operating over 950 labs in 60 countries with 65,000 employees and a portfolio of over 200,000 validated analytical methods. At EAG, curiosity fuels everything we do. Every analysis, every test, and every question asked in our labs helps unlock what materials and products are capable of—and what the world can build next. Our scientists and engineers support industries ranging from semiconductors and advanced electronics to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, energy systems, and consumer products. Using advanced techniques in analytical chemistry, microscopy, surface analysis, and engineering sciences, we help clients solve complex challenges across the product lifecycle.

About the role

The Materials Characterization team is seeking a Scientist to operate and interpret data from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Nanoindentation, and Optical Profilometry (OP) instrumentation. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience characterizing mechanical, surface, and nanoscale material properties and be comfortable with all phases of the analytical process, including experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, data interpretation, technical reporting, and customer interactions. This position requires a strong technical foundation in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Design analytical approaches to address customer questions and technical challenges.
• Prepare samples and acquire data using AFM, Nanoindentation, and Optical Profilometry systems.
• Perform advanced surface characterization, topographical analysis, roughness measurements, mechanical property characterization, electrical characterization, and nanoscale mapping.
• Work with internal sample preparation teams when cross-sectioning or specialized sample preparation is required.
• Process, analyze, and interpret data to generate meaningful technical conclusions.
• Write comprehensive scientific reports that clearly communicate methodology, results, and recommendations.
• Present findings to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers on complex investigations.

Client-Facing Responsibilities

• Meet with customers to discuss project goals, results, and future analyses.
• Partner with EAG business development and sales teams to recommend analytical solutions.
• Participate in technical discussions that help customers solve materials, process, and reliability challenges.
• Support proposal development and scope definition for new projects.

Long-Term Growth Opportunities

• Develop new analytical methodologies.
• Research and characterize emerging materials and technologies.
• Publish technical papers and participate in industry conferences.
• Create technical marketing content and application notes.
• Collaborate with instrument manufacturers and service providers.
• Cross-train in complementary surface and materials characterization techniques.

Requirements

Important ITAR Requirement: Use of information in this role is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To be considered for this position, applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR. A U.S. Person includes:

• U.S. Citizen
• U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder)
• Political Asylee
• Refugee

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or related scientific discipline.
• 1+ years of industrial, academic, or research experience using AFM, Nanoindentation, or related materials characterization techniques.
• Experience designing analytical protocols and conducting independent scientific investigations.
• Experience interpreting experimental data and applying findings to solve practical engineering or materials challenges.
• Experience writing technical reports and communicating scientific results.

Preferred Technical Skills

Strong preference for experience with:

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), including modes such as SCM, SSRM, sMIM, KPFM, MFM, and mechanical testing modes
• Nanoindentation / Nanomechanical testing
• Optical Profilometry / White Light Interferometry
• Surface roughness and topography measurements
• Thin film characterization
• Mechanical and electrical property characterization
• Failure analysis and root cause investigations
• Semiconductor, advanced materials, or microelectronics characterization

Highly Desired AFM Experience: Experience with one or more advanced AFM modes is highly desirable:

• PF-QNM (PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping)
• SCM (Scanning Capacitance Microscopy)
• SSRM (Scanning Spreading Resistance Microscopy)
• sMIM (Scanning Microwave Impedance Microscopy)
• Conductive AFM
• Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM)

Additional Preferred Experience: Experience with any of the following techniques is a plus:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Focused Ion Beam (FIB) / Dual Beam (DB)
• TEM/STEM
• Raman Spectroscopy
• FTIR
• XPS
• NanoIR
• Materials and surface analysis techniques

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Move about inside the office or laboratory to access file cabinets, machinery, and equipment.
• Continuously operate a personal computer or lab equipment for extended periods (4 or more hours).
• Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other lab equipment, use a telephone, access file cabinets, and other items stored at various levels, including overhead.
• Remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
• Speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure an accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the telephone, online, and in a group setting.
• Learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, make timely decisions in the context of a workflow, communicate with visitors, and complete tasks in situations that have a speed or productivity quota.

The essential physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• 401k Company Matching
• Paid Time Off
• Wellness Program
• Education Assistance
• Volunteer Time Off

Compensation is aligned with market standards for the region and tailored to individual qualifications and experience.