Research Fellow - Design-Technology Co-Optimization

Natcast (short for The National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology) is a new, purpose-built, non-profit entity created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium, established by the CHIPS Act of the U.S. government.

Working at Natcast represents an opportunity to help extend America’s leadership in semiconductor technology, significantly reduce the time and cost of moving from idea to commercialization, and build and sustain a semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

These efforts to advance semiconductor technology and seed new industries built on the capabilities of a wide range of advanced chips hold the potential to benefit the country and the world for generations to come.

In this role, you will lead and contribute to Natcast's research initiatives in semiconductor technology. Advances in semiconductor technology will increasingly rely on co-optimization across traditional abstraction boundaries such as design and device technology, with a focus toward application-domain specific system design. The role aims to advance U.S. leadership semiconductor technology through research and development conducted at the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). You will drive cutting-edge research that advances energy and power efficiency of computing, directly contributing to Natcast's mission of re-establishing U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology. 

Every day, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, academics, and industry partners to develop and utilize design-technology co-optimization frameworks to address the energy and power efficiency, cost reduction, and manufacturability of future semiconductor technologies for computing.  

To thrive in this role, you must possess understanding of CMOS logic technology, advanced 3D packaging, memory devices and systems, and Si photonics, with in-depth understanding in some of these areas. Coupled with this technical expertise, you should demonstrate strong leadership and project management skills, showcasing your ability to manage and drive complex research projects. Your passion for driving innovation in semiconductor technology and your ability to translate complex research concepts into practical applications are crucial. Proficiency in collaborating with cross-functional teams, academia, and industry partners is essential to effectively develop and integrate the DTCO frameworks for research on semiconductor technology. 

Natcast is a trailblazing non-profit entity established under the CHIPS Act to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium. We are dedicated to advancing semiconductor R&D in the United States, convening government, industry, and academia to address the most challenging barriers to technological progress in the domestic semiconductor industry. 

The Design-Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) Research Fellow plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of computing architectures and memory systems, directly impacting the competitiveness of the U.S. semiconductor industry. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop/adapt/acquire DTCO frameworks including ability to model new logic, memory, advanced packaging, as well as intra-/inter-chip interconnect technologies. 

• Define new device architectures, and scaling and performance boosters to maintain area and performance scaling for future CMOS nodes. 

• Create detailed simulation models to predict the performance, energy/power efficiency, and reliability of novel semiconductor devices and architectures for specific application domains. 

• Analyze design trade-offs, considering different architectural choices and workloads. 

• Work closely with material scientists, device engineers, circuit designers, chip architects, and application developers to integrate new materials and processes into scalable semiconductor solutions. 

• Lead the development and testing of prototype devices and designs to validate new design-technology co-optimization concepts. 

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive roadmap for DTCO activities, addressing critical challenges for device density scaling and system size scale out. 

• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to ensure compatibility and interoperability across different platforms and applications. 

• Manage research budgets, timelines, and deliverables. 

• Present research findings to stakeholders and at NSTC events, industry and technical conferences. 

• Contribute to Natcast's strategic planning for future research directions. 

Required Skills and Experience: 

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field 

• 8+ years of experience in semiconductor research and development 

• Proven experience in circuit design, device and process technology, and design technology co-optimization 

• Excellent project management and leadership skills 

• Strong communication and presentation abilities 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in leading research projects or programs 

• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as quantum computing, neuromorphic computing, and advanced AI hardware 

• Experience with advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques 

• Track record of publications in top-tier conferences and journals in the field 

• Familiarity with semiconductor industry trends and roadmaps 

• Experience in collaborating with industry partners and academic institutions 

• Knowledge of relevant funding mechanisms and experience in formulating calls for proposals.  

If you are a passionate researcher and leader in the field, eager to drive innovation that will shape the future of the semiconductor industry, we encourage you to apply for this position. Join us in our mission to advance U.S. semiconductor leadership and push the boundaries of computing technology. 

Natcast is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any protected attribute. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join us in our mission. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please let us know. 

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