Scientist, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)/ Nanoindentation

About the role

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, test, and 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.

EAG Laboratories is seeking a Scientist to join our Materials Characterization team with primary responsibility for operating and interpreting 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.

Successful candidates thrive in a fast-paced consulting laboratory environment where multiple projects move simultaneously. They are curious scientists, strong communicators, and collaborative teammates who can independently manage priorities while delivering high-quality scientific results.

Scientists are encouraged to expand their expertise through development of new analytical methodologies, research and characterization of emerging materials and technologies, publication of technical papers and participation in industry conferences, creation of technical marketing content and application notes, collaboration with instrument manufacturers and service providers, and cross-training in complementary surface and materials characterization techniques.

Responsibilities

Laboratory work

• Designing analytical approaches to address customer questions and technical challenges
• Preparing samples and acquiring data using AFM, Nanoindentation, and Optical Profilometry systems
• Performing advanced surface characterization, topographical analysis, roughness measurements, mechanical property characterization, electrical characterization, and nanoscale mapping
• Working with internal sample preparation teams when cross-sectioning or specialized sample preparation is required
• Processing, analyzing, and interpreting data to generate meaningful technical conclusions
• Writing comprehensive scientific reports that clearly communicate methodology, results, and recommendations
• Presenting findings to customers and internal stakeholders
• Collaborating 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

Qualifications

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, or Refugee.

Education & Experience

• 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

Skills

Preferred Technical Skills

• 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

• 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

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

Core 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, equipment, etc.
• Continuously operate a personal computer or lab equipment for extended periods of time (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

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to