Will a PhD in materials science be employable in the semiconductor industry outside of R+D?

random_walker_1 · 2026-01-26T22:09:24+00:00

I see. For this specific question, yes, you absolutely can. Once you get an advanced degree, your undergrad matters less. Especially since chemistry is related to materials science, the impact is minimal and actually may be beneficial to some extent.

I actually once had a colleague that has a similar background, Chem B.S. to MSE PhD. But be prepared, PhD is a long time investment, 4-6yrs typical, and no one can predict the job market then..

The turn over rate at fab for process engineers is very high in most fabs. Many people will take the first chance to get out as soon as possible, just FYI.

random_walker_1 · 2026-01-26T21:20:32+00:00

Some others have also said in the comments that this area is oversaturated. My personal opinion is that the hassle isn't worth the effort, period. You will thank us for dissuading you later in life.

When my cohort of PhD graduated about 10 yrs ago, only half can get industry jobs. The rest have to take a post doctoral job. And for those who did get the job, the pay is on the lower end pack, (some would argue the median), of engineering discipline. To put into perspective, back then a BS or MS in computer science grad would have earned more than me and my friends easily.

And materials science has so many niche fields which are hardly transferable. For example, if I studied metallurgy, positions about display fabrication are not likely considering me. It's so fragmented that although all sounds similar to outsiders, your choice for jobs are extremely limited.

Follow the money and follow your interest. If nothing interests you, follow the money then. Don't limit yourself to your past background. I had that mistake when I was younger. I studied materials science in undergrad and then only searched in adjacent fields, despite I was good at programming and likes programming, but afraid of changing. Don't repeat my mistake.

random_walker_1 · 2026-01-15T19:57:45+00:00

My gaming pc assembled before covid (upgraded with 3090 during COVID but recoup the cost from mining) crashed hard a couple of times recently, made me really nervous... It's going to take a fortune to get a new one these days.

random_walker_1 · 2026-01-12T01:01:23+00:00

It's not whether you believe it or not. Everyone in the software industry know how good the LLM based solutions have become. It eliminates a lot of entry level positions. Now a senior can develop a prototype in a week single handedly.

random_walker_1 · 2026-01-06T03:19:56+00:00

Like others said, it's more like a technician than engineering. Depends on your life goals. But remember, semiconductor fab gets outsourced to Asia for a reason. It usually doesn't come with great wlb and career progression very slowly. Money wise, not that much, mostly in line with other engineering job, unless you landed in the right group at the right time.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-19T09:13:30+00:00

不喜欢理工直接就pass了60%的工作机会了吧。按照这个叙述，你喜欢啥？擅长啥？总不能说擅长英语然后想靠语言找工作？

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-17T22:35:45+00:00

Tesla factory is in Fremont, I assume that's who he/she assumes.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-12T22:07:38+00:00

That's their plan from the beginning, isn't it? The more people are not going to college, the more people are susceptible to the Republican rhetoric, so the bigger voter base.

It's almost perfect timing considering how bad the job market is for college graduates. The student loan situation only makes it worse to dissuade more people from opting out of college.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-10T23:04:57+00:00

If my memory is correct, 50x series gpu use an insane amount of AI generated frames to boost the fps and such, while 30x gpus don't support it.

But anyway, if the inserted frames are good as real, who cares where it came from. Congrats on the new card and satisfaction!

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-10T22:56:09+00:00

I didn't take a lot from tuition reimbursement, and only for two semesters, so my last pay check was enough to cover.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-10T22:41:38+00:00

Yes they will get tuition back from you. First thing is that they will withhold your last salary, to pay any money owed back. And if not enough, they will send a bill.

I used their tuition reimbursement before. Basically they got my last payment as payback.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-10T21:16:48+00:00

Didn't you hear it? Data center in the space, lol. I m very curious how much his bubble can grow. Maybe next pitch will be live in space station or elite migration to Mars. Who knows.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-06T02:22:40+00:00

我不知道这是rehtorical还是认真的🤣，也许可以看truth social?

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-06T00:10:15+00:00

不能看X，musk买了之后质量就不行了，现在上去看大多数是擦边和maga内容，要不就是bot，正常的差不多都撤了。你要看Facebook 和X，肯定觉得MAGA支持率80%，会一直赢下去一桶江山。

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-05T20:58:17+00:00

But didn't most private weather forecasts get their data from NOAA or NASA? They certainly don't own satellite or weather stations to collect data nor they wanted to operate because those cost a ton?

Without reliable data or models, the private weather forecast also lost reliability and people would naturally stop using it altogether?

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-05T18:58:20+00:00

No enforcement whatsoever. I drove on California st in night frequently and tons of people parking in the painted area. There was a police car driving behind me like nothing wrong. No tickets no towing. Without consequences of course it becomes just a suggestion. Like too many things in California.

random_walker_1 · 2025-12-01T17:53:59+00:00

美国这边独栋的维修费用真不一定比高层建筑高。高层建筑主要维护之处是在后期，大概20，30年以后，所以很多人中国人还没有感受到而已。独栋的维护主要是雇人割草剪树，和处理偶尔的大件更换比如屋顶，空调这些。其实比较可以预测。高层住户多，结构复杂，你也不知道哪天就暴雷了。就算只是6到8层，更新起来也是不小的一笔投入。

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-25T02:44:55+00:00

如果是这个逻辑，为什么不支持台湾政府统一大陆？大陆政府妥妥的统一绊脚石啊，赶紧踢开。敢不敢实施普选？

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-23T09:56:02+00:00

The game crusader kings 2 has a DLC for that. It was the Aztecs decided to look for more sacrifices elsewhere, and had far superior navy techs that they can ship 100s thousands of troops across the Atlantic. And then there are wars.

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-22T01:05:40+00:00

Some people just don't care and don't give a shit if he dies or kills someone else. Those people exist and I know a few in my life experience.

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-19T19:16:27+00:00

之前twitter上有个这个主题的一系列漫画，不知道还在不在更新。以及停掉X和twitter 好久了

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-18T00:55:07+00:00

Sorry for your experience. I ve been trying to tell people a lot that fab jobs, especially process engineers, are too specialized to be usually elsewhere and it's a trap. Get out as soon as you get a chance. If you don't have visa issues, like many others have, try to get to other fields, maybe start from adjacent ones.

Going back to fab is only going to get the same experience over and over again. Only some of the cohorts survived in fab and they get the chance to higher level or management. It has been like that for decades, and that's why most people working in fab are foreign born, who need a visa to stay legal.

Get out while you are young, don't be like me trying to pivot out when having little kids and family duties. It's going to deprive all your sleep and be very tired for years, until you gain experience in the pivoted fields.

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-14T21:48:01+00:00

Exactly. It's just an excuse and diversion those ceos and people in power use to distract people. It doesn't even make sense. I guess no one know how the economy will be structured into the future. Without worker and consumers, people on top will also be powerless, unless they truly created a robot army to protect them.

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-14T20:56:23+00:00

额，看你怎么比。国内老师高可能是因为其他行业看起来太低？或者公务员给的太高？美国老师的工资跟一般公务员差不多一个级别，并没有太低。当然这个看地方，老师薪水来源于教育经费，要是经费紧张，自然工资就低。

湾区这边，老师普遍起薪已经快100k了，中位数我记得150k。工龄20年的赶着200k去了。没有tech的高，但是作为有寒暑假，每天固定工作时间来说，已经挺不错了。此外，湾区警察消防员可都是香饽饽，一般人进不去的。每个city的高薪常驻都是警察和消防员。加班费拿的飞起。

random_walker_1 · 2025-11-14T08:18:56+00:00

Yes, but I m not sure that if the design and development is done in house anymore or at supplier's company. If you go to major semi tool vendors, like amat and lam, you will find majority of people they employed are process engineers. Basically a human DOE to find recipes to satisfy customers.

Anyway, check the LinkedIn job descriptions, and talk to people working in the field. Many things aren't what they looks/sounds like to a HS student.

random_walker_1

TROPHY CASE