Microfabrication & Prototyping Engineer (Postdoc)

About the role

The AdaMist research group at UBC, in partnership with Sonus Microsystems, seeks a post‑doctoral researcher to advance polymer‑based Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasound Transducers (polyCMUTs). You will work in cleanroom facilities to develop, prototype, and characterize next‑generation ultrasound devices for healthcare and other markets.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and execute microfabrication steps for polymer MEMS devices, including lithography, thin‑film deposition, etching, photoresist processing, and wafer dicing.
• Build and iterate physical prototypes, perform wire bonding, alignment, packaging, and small‑batch runs for experimental evaluation.
• Conduct electrical measurements with impedance and network analyzers and acoustic testing using hydrophones and laser Doppler vibrometers.
• Analyze data with MATLAB or Python, document results, and propose design or process improvements.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists on design iterations, troubleshoot processes, and contribute to manufacturing protocol development.

Required profile

• PhD in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Strong hands‑on experience in microfabrication and cleanroom environments, demonstrated by prior projects or publications.
• Proficiency in MEMS fabrication principles and device behavior.
• Ability to build prototypes, perform laboratory measurements, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Required skills

• Microfabrication and cleanroom processes
• Lithography, thin‑film deposition (e‑beam evaporation, sputtering)
• Etching, photoresist processing, wafer dicing
• Wire bonding, device packaging and assembly
• Impedance analyzer and network analyzer operation
• Hydrophone‑based acoustic testing, laser Doppler vibrometry
• MATLAB, Python for data analysis