Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies, and services for Industry and Health, operates in 80 countries with approximately 65,000 employees. The Innovation and Development Division (IDD) spearheads the company's innovation strategy, focusing on developing high-tech solutions, including digital and IT.

The Research Scientist position at Air Liquide's Delaware Innovation Campus is crucial in supporting the development of new chemistries for industrial applications. The role involves designing and developing new etching gases for semiconductor applications, with responsibilities spanning from plasma etching processes to advanced metrology and customer interaction. This multidisciplinary position is ideal for a collaborative, motivated researcher with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science, emphasizing plasma-based etching methods.

In this guide, Interview Query will detail the interview process for the Research Scientist role at Air Liquide, common interview questions, and tips to succeed. Let's dive in!

Submitting Your Application

The first step to joining Air Liquide as a Research Scientist is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in the role. Whether you were contacted by a recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV to meet the job requirements.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Highlight relevant skills and mention your past work experiences, especially those that pertain to chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, and any relevant analytical techniques.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV is shortlisted, a recruiter from Air Liquide’s Talent Acquisition Team will reach out to verify your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be part of the screening process.

In some cases, the hiring manager for the Research Scientist position may be present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also discuss surface-level technical and behavioral aspects.

The recruiter call usually takes around 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. This round, typically conducted virtually via video conference and screen sharing, lasts about an hour. Questions may center around your expertise in plasma-based etching methods, familiarity with analytical techniques like Ellipsometry, FTIR, XPS, and others.

Depending on the role, you may also be given a take-home assignment to assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. For instance, this could involve assessing new material development processes or designing experiments to evaluate separation processes.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Following a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. During this phase, multiple interview rounds will take place to evaluate your technical skills and compatibility with the team. Discussions may focus on your past projects, experience with plasma etching, and the development of new analytical methods.

If you were given a take-home assignment, a presentation round might also be included during the onsite interview.

Quick Tips For Air Liquide Research Scientist Interviews

To help you prepare for your Air Liquide interview, here are some valuable tips:

1. Know the Company’s Core Values: Air Liquide places great emphasis on safety, continuous improvement, and innovation. Be prepared to share how you align with these values during your interview.

2. Be Specific with Examples: Highlight your hands-on experience with plasma-based or other relevant tools, and be ready to discuss specific projects, methodologies, and results.

3. Understand the Role’s Technical Requirements: Review the job description thoroughly and brush up on required skills, such as plasma etching techniques or experience with analytical instruments like FTIR, XPS, and Ellipsometry.

Typically, interviews at Air Liquide vary by role and team, but commonly Research Scientist interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• Select the top 3 departments with at least ten employees and rank them by the percentage of employees making over 100K. Given employees and departments tables, select the top 3 departments with at least ten employees and rank them according to the percentage of their employees making over 100K in salary.

What is the average salary for a Research Scientist at Air Liquide?

Q: What are the primary responsibilities of a Research Scientist at Air Liquide?

A: As a Research Scientist at Air Liquide, you will be responsible for projects involving Plasma Etching processes, designing new etching gases, and process evaluation for semiconductor applications. Additionally, you'll build knowledge on etching gas, structure and functional relationships, achieve research objectives, provide technical leadership, and promote the development of intellectual property.

Q: What qualifications are required for the Research Scientist position?

A: The position typically requires a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science. Candidates should have hands-on experience with plasma-based etching methods, plasma tools, and related analytical techniques such as Ellipsometry, FTIR, and XPS. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also essential, along with a collaborative mindset and self-motivation.

Q: What kind of work environment can I expect at Air Liquide?

A: At Air Liquide, you will work in research laboratories and pilot setups, collaborating with multidisciplinary and international teams. The role involves hands-on work with experimental design, data analysis, and communication of results. You will also have interactions with AL global business and marketing teams, and occasional travel for plant support or trials.

Q: What are the benefits offered for this position?

A: The benefits package includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at Air Liquide?

A: To prepare for an interview at Air Liquide, research the company and the specific role. Practice common interview questions and review your technical skills and relevant experiences. Prepare to discuss your past projects, problem-solving abilities, and how your skills align with the job requirements.

Working at Air Liquide means joining a global leader in gases, technologies, and services for Industry and Health. With a presence in 80 countries and a workforce of about 65,000 dedicated employees, Air Liquide fosters innovation and values diversity to drive long-term performance and responsible action. Are you ready to take on projects involving cutting-edge technologies, work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, and make significant contributions to industrial and health sectors? This could be your chance to thrive and grow within a pioneering and inspiring organization.

If you're eager to learn more about what it's like to work for Air Liquide and want to ace your interview, check out our main Air Liquide Interview Guide. We've also created interview guides for other roles you might be interested in, such as software engineer and data analyst.

At Interview Query, we equip you with the tools, strategies, and confidence to tackle any interview challenge, ensuring you're well prepared for your journey with Air Liquide. For more insightful guides and resources, check out all our company interview guides. Best of luck with your interview!