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New Business Development - University R&D

Job ID
R2616737
Date posted
04/10/2026
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Category
Corporate Development

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$161,000.00 - $221,000.00

Location:

Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits

Summary

This role helps shape and manage our pathfinding research partnerships with global universities.  You’ll combine analytical insight, creativity, and leadership to coordinate research between Applied Materials and universities and enhance Applied Materials visibility. Success in this role requires a broad understanding of leading-edge semiconductor technologies, an understanding of corporate and university R&D practices, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Work with Business Units to identify universities with the capability expertise to provide pathfinding research – especially with respect to key industry technology inflections in the pathfinding horizon
  • Work with Business Units within SPG to identify universities professors with the specific expertise to provide research in areas of key product gaps in the 3-5 year horizon
  • Track all university R&D projects within SPG and provide quarterly status updates to management regarding: university PI, Applied Materials owner and stakeholders, technical objective and progress, budget, target node and platform, addressable TAM, and progress to SOWs.
  • Assist Business Units in getting projects approved by the relevant technical councils
  • Drive/Guide Business Units through the University R&D business process including governance, legal documentation, payment processing, and termination
  • Ownership of select university R&D relationships
  • Support development of strategy for university involvement in Applied Materials EPIC platform and coordination of university R&D with key customers
  • Support other SPG partnership programs as needed

Functional Knowledge

  • Demonstrates depth and/or breadth of expertise in own specialized discipline or field relevant to Applied Materials business
  • Understands semiconductor technical and business environments
  • Demonstrates an understanding of semiconductor technologies, as well as semiconductor corporate and university pathfinding R&D 


Business Expertise

  • Utilizes highly specialized skills to expand Applied’s technology footprint in support of strategic business objectives
  • Demonstrates ability to work across multiple Business Units, Centers of Excellence, and functions within Applied Materials


Leadership

  • May lead functional teams or projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity 
  • Leads mainly via influence management.


Problem Solving

  • Leads others to solve complex problems; uses sophisticated analytical thought to exercise judgment and identify innovative solutions


Impact

  • Decisions impact annual goal attainment and contribute to achievement of important objectives of the business unit and may impact other external functions or groups


Interpersonal Skills

  • Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view
  • Creates strong business relationships with key stakeholders to enlist their active support

Qualifications

  • PhD in a technical related field and MBA or equivalent preferred
  • 4-7 year experience in semiconductor industry, including experience in university + corporate R&D collaborations
  • Experience in partnership new business development or product management in semiconductor equipment preferred

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 20% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.