Associate Research Scientist

The Associate Research Scientist role is a key contributor within INFICONs Research team supporting the planning and execution of research activities that advance sensor technology instrumentation and product development. This role applies scientific and engineering principles to help bring innovative measurement solutions from concept to validation. You will play a hands-on role in maintaining lab equipment laboratory operations prototype development and data-driven analysis.

You will work in our research team in Syracuse collaborating with a group of around 20 scientists who have backgrounds in physics chemistry and other STEM fields. Our team specializes in Residual Gas Analyzers (RGAs) Gas Chromatography (GC) Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy thin film deposition monitoring tools and sensors and related technologies.

Our team focuses on driving innovation from a technology push perspective. We investigate emerging technologies for our smart manufacturing solutions and identify the most critical technical assumptions underlying each solution. These assumptions are then validated or invalidated through iterative learning cycles which include experiments literature research simulation and prototyping. For experimental work we operate a Thin Film Epicenter equipped with several deposition tools and the Minifab a research-type cleanroom designed to test our solutions and products in an application-focused research environment.

Essential Job Functions

Research & Experimentation

You will plan and conduct research activities in support of ongoing R&D technology push learning cycles and new product development applying scientific or engineering principles to the product development process. And build and test materials sensor prototypes and systems for research and product validation. You will assist in the design and setup of test stations and experimental setups and will qualify and document prototype performance under defined test conditions.

Data Collection Processing & Analysis

You will gather process and analyze experimental results and data. Maintain accurate and organized records of experimental observations test results and maintenance activities. Contribute to updating instruction manuals test procedures and research documentation in collaboration with senior researchers.

Laboratory Equipment & Maintenance

You will perform preventive and corrective maintenance on laboratory equipment including vacuum chambers roughing pumps cryopumps compressors chillers and water circulation systems (pumps filters tanks and associated plumbing). Responsibilities also include simple machining fixture building and assembly tasks to support test stand setup and ongoing research needs. You will be expected to exercise a strong awareness of laboratory hazards such as implosion explosion high-voltage (up to 10kV) pyrophoric and hazardous materials where applicable. Maintenance duties might also extend to equipment in the cleanroom including the SEM scrubber and other specialized tools.

Lab Operations & Support

You will support laboratory organization and 5S initiatives. Monitor and restock laboratory consumables and materials; place and track orders with vendors. Assist research scientists with repetitive or time-sensitive laboratory tasks including supervision of deposition processes as required. Respond independently to routine operational situations such as water leaks or minor equipment anomalies.

Travel

You are expected to have the ability to travel up to 5% of the time for client meetings team events conferences or site visits.

Qualifications :

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Physics Chemistry Materials Science Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a closely related STEM discipline with at least 2 years of relevant laboratory or research experience; OR a Masters or Ph.D. in a related field with 02 years of experience. Candidates with a strong background in Physics or Chemistry and hands-on laboratory experience are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Experience with high vacuum systems thin film deposition technologies and semiconductor fabrication tools including PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with high vacuum technology sensor systems or analytical instrumentation is a plus.
• Experience with data collection and analysis tools (e.g. Python LabVIEW MATLAB or similar) is beneficial. Familiarity with using AI platforms (such as Claude Code) to develop these tools is also advantageous.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD design software (e.g. Siemens NX SolidWorks or equivalent) and/or engineering simulation tools (e.g. ANSYS COMSOL or similar) is a plus.

Competencies & Skills

• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member in an agile and fast-paced R&D environment.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.
• Practical problem-solving skills particularly in troubleshooting equipment and experimental setups.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for documenting results and coordinating with cross-functional colleagues.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities within a dynamic research environment.
• Ability to thrive in a Lean and Agile work environment comfortable adapting to shifting priorities iterating quickly on experiments and processes and contributing constructively within cross-functional teams.
• Comfort working with hazardous materials and high-voltage equipment following established safety protocols.

Physical Requirements

This is a full-time on-site position. The role requires frequent standing and walking throughout the workday. Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 lbs and 40 lbs respectively. The position involves occasional bending kneeling crouching climbing and reaching. Sustained visual concentration on screens instruments and detailed assembly work is required frequently.

Working Conditions

The Associate Research Scientist will work primarily in a laboratory environment in East Syracuse NY. Occasional exposure to chemical hazards electrical hazards (including high-voltage systems) fumes dust and radiation may occur and will be managed in accordance with INFICON safety protocols and applicable regulations.

Additional Information :

A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $70000 to $90000. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience location and other factors permitted by addition INFICON employees are eligible for a profit-sharing bonus with a target of 10% as well as 401K match up to 8% (vesting schedule).

INFICON provides a dynamic work environment that promotes diversity equity and inclusion. Our employees experience ongoing green initiatives flexible work hours and a variety of health and wellness programs.

INFICONs forward-thinking approach offers countless opportunities to design support and manufacture a diverse product portfolio that expands globally. Our Lean and Agile work environment offers competitive compensation relocation assistance a discretionary bonus and generous employee benefits; major medical dental health vision 401K vacation and sick time tuition reimbursement and more!

INFICON is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal opportunity to all job seekers that apply without regard to race religion ethnicity national origin citizenship gender age protected veteran status disability status genetic information sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. A notice describing Federal equal employment opportunity laws is available here to reaffirm this commitment.   Any contact that would like to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact .

INFICON Inc. strictly complies with all aspects of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) including those sections dealing with deemed exports to foreign nationals.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time