Physics | Materials Science internship: machine learning on wafer diagnostics

Join the Wafer Defectivity Team at ASML

Introduction

In the Wafer Defectivity team at ASML, we strive to minimize the amount of dust particles deposited onto silicon wafers. These dust particles can cause (partial) malfunctions in the final product: the computer chip. We identify particle sources in our NXE system and implement structural solutions to prevent such issues.

Your Assignment

The goal of this assignment is to study different metrics of wafer defectivity qualification tests, including size, material composition, and more, and perform root-cause analysis using Machine Learning techniques to identify defect sources that could impact scanner performance. Machine learning techniques need to be introduced to correlate defectivity performance parameters with other scanner performance KPI reports.

Your tasks for this assignment may include:

• Collecting data and scanner KPIs
• Analyzing different metrics of wafer qualification test data
• Collaborating with several stakeholders for scanner KPI analysis and support engineers
• Exploring Machine Learning techniques to study correlation between metrics of wafer qualification data and scanner performance KPIs
• Reporting results to key stakeholders within departments for technical decision making

This is a Master internship (non-thesis) for at least 6 months, minimum 4 days per week (3 days onsite). The start date of this internship is around January/February 2026.

Your Profile

To be a match for this internship, you:

• Are a master student in Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or Data Science
• Possess MATLAB or Python programming language skills (a plus)
• Have strong knowledge in statistical analysis, regression analysis, and Machine Learning techniques
• Have strong problem solving skills and the ability to take initiative
• Have an analytical mindset and good communication skills in English (verbal and written)

Other requirements you need to meet:

• You are enrolled at an educational institute for the entire duration of the internship
• You are located in the Netherlands to perform your internship. In case you are currently living/studying outside of the Netherlands, your CV/motivation letter includes the willingness to relocate
• If you are a non-EU citizen studying in the Netherlands, your university is willing to sign the documents relevant for doing an internship (i.e., Nuffic agreement)

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

About ASML

ASML is a leading supplier of lithography equipment, used by the world’s top chipmakers to print microchips that are increasingly powerful, fast and energy efficient. Working at ASML is inspiring, no matter what field you're in. That’s because we push the boundaries of technology: if it’s moving the world forward, chances are, we’re behind it. In fact, we’re probably a part of the electronic device you’re using right now.

We’re a global team of more than 32,000 people from 122 different nationalities and counting. Headquartered in Europe’s top tech hub, the Brainport Eindhoven region in the Netherlands, our operations are spread across Europe, Asia and the US.