
Research Scientist FlowThermal Plasma modeling
Ann Arbor, MIJob$106–155K/yrSeen 3w agoSeen in employer's feed 3 days ago
Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.
You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.
Watch jobs like this. New roles like this one near Ann Arbor, MI, by email.
Don't just apply. Show up ready.
Olive works from this exact posting.
At a glance
Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.
Job overview
KLA’s physics modeling group in Ann Arbor is seeking research scientists and engineers for its plasma and gas-thermal modeling team. The role focuses on developing and validating algorithms and modeling approaches for next-generation laser-sustained plasma sources, and on defining modeling strategies with R&D and engineering teams. The ideal candidate has a computational physics background involving electromagnetics and/or plasma physics.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology. Group/DivisionThe Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA's product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. KLA's Central Engineering organization is made up of nine Centers of Excellence (CoEs) spanning disciplines like automation, motion control, sensors, platform design, and packaging. Each CoE contributes not only technical deliverables but also deep expertise, best practices, and advanced tools that elevate both what we build-and how we build it. What You'll Do In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. KLA physics modeling group at Ann-Arbor, Michigan, is looking for talented research scientists and engineers to join the plasma and gas-thermal modeling team. The ideal candidate has a strong computational physics background involving electromagnetics and/or plasma physics. Relevant experience should include experience in some of these areas and a good intuition about the physical processes being modeled. Especially important is the ability to work with the other R&D and engineering teams to define modeling plans that explore the potential design space for implementation in future. Responsibilities in this role include: Lead development, validation and verification of new algorithms and modeling approaches for next-gen laser sustained plasma sources Work in a group environment to define and own modeling strategies and lead development Prepare detailed modeling plans, schedules and summary reports and present findings to internal customers and key stakeholders Qualifications: Degree in applied physics/Engineering Hands-on experience designing, developing, modifying and diagnosing complex algorithms for plasma physics applications Responsible working attitude and should be a team player. Previous experience with instruments for semiconductor industry is desired. Ability to clearly connect with cross functional internal teams, both oral and written, division management, as well as external customers. Must be able to travel for training and to support development teams in different locations. Minimum QualificationsDoctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years About KLA We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us. Total RewardsBase Pay Range: $105,900.00 - $155,300.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA KLA's total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibil
How this job compares
Set against the 2,206 open Research Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 11, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$106–155K/yr
- US median$137–217K/yr1,509 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $131K, is 29% below the US median midpoint ($185K) — in the middle half of Research Scientist salary ranges across the US.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 39 open Research Scientist jobs in Michigan and 2,206 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Michigan
- KLATencor Corporation (this employer)6 open
- Michigan State University(MSU)6 open
- KLA Corporation4 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for no prior experience — less than three in four Research Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for (median 4 years, across 1,192 postings).
- Education
- 1,090 of the 2,206 open Research Scientist jobs (49%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 11, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
Prepare for this role
You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.
