Summer 2027 Intern - Physicist/Scientist (PhD)

About the role

Applied Materials' Silicon Product Group team in Santa Clara, CA is looking for PhD students to join as summer 2027 interns. The team works with engineering groups across its business units to design the next generation of plasma processing tools, and the interns take part in forward-looking research and development.

Key responsibilities

• Understand and design new plasma processing systems
• Use molecular dynamics simulations to study fundamental processes at surfaces in contact with plasma
• Develop new capabilities in internal plasma and feature-scale models
• Use plasma and surface physics models to interpret leading-edge plasma etch and deposition experiments
• Apply in-house plasma models to understand complex plasma behavior
• Explore machine learning methods to speed up the development and use of 2D and 3D plasma and feature-scale models

Required profile

• Pursuing a Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science or a related field
• Good academic standing, with a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
• Quick learner, flexible and with strong problem-solving skills

Required skills

• Proficiency in some of: computational physics, plasma physics, molecular dynamics, plasma chemistry, surface physics, density functional theory, reacting flows, fluid dynamics
• Knowledge of machine learning applications is useful

The position is full-time for an intern/student, with travel of about 10% of the time and relocation eligibility. Salary depends on location, hire grade, knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity; additional compensation such as a bonus and stock award program may apply.