Research Engineer Works On State-of-the-Art Research

Name: Prafful Golani

PhD: Electrical Engineering (Semiconductor Physics Focus), University of Minnesota, 2022

What is your current job?

I am a Research Engineer for Intel, based in Oregon, USA.

I'm a process integration engineer responsible for developing fabrication processes to enable the design of GaN (Gallium Nitride) based high electron mobility transistors which will be used for realizing voltage regulators and high power RF (Radio Frequency) circuits.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love working on technology which is not fully mature, thus allowing one to innovate and publish state-of-the-art research.

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

Working on a diversity of material systems and projects

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

• Hands on experimental work in a fabrication facility

• Reading papers

• Online courses on semiconductor physics within and outside university

• Internships in semiconductor industry

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

Research Community

PhD graduate ➡️ Research & Development role in Industry

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

1. Focus on your PhD research and coursework.

2. Publish papers.

3. Building a good network within the research community.

4. Attend conferences

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I wanted to work closer to the product and that is more plausible by working in industry. It was a somewhat difficult decision as one has to sacrifice working on absolutely novel research topics.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

1. Build your resume in accordance with the career path that you wish to pursue.

2. Network with professionals both inside and outside academia.

3. Build important skills such as data analysis, public speaking, presentation etc.

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

Being curious. Continuing to ask questions and challenge the norms. Staying humble.

And for those interested, what was your main area of research?

I specialized in nanofabrication and electrical characterization of transistors made from novel material systems such as 2D materials and wide-bandgap materials which have the potential to replace silicon or assist current silicon technology in developing high performance and low power electronic devices.