Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan
Research Scientist jobs in Michigan are consistently active, concentrated in life sciences, automotive engineering, pharmaceutical research, and materials science, with openings ranging from entry-level bench scientists through senior principal researchers. The strongest hiring metros are Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids, where employers such as University of Michigan, Pfizer, and Ford Motor Company maintain deep and ongoing research operations. High-demand specialties include computational biology, polymer chemistry, and advanced materials for EV development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Research Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 6+ Research Scientist jobs
To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.
Group/Division
The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) division delivers industry-leading metrology solutions essential to advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Its portfolio includes systems for measuring film thickness, critical dimensions, composition, and resistivity—key to developing and scaling next-gen IC processes. FaST partners closely with customers from early R&D through high-volume production, ensuring performance and process alignment.What You'll Do
In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.
Qualifications
- PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field preferred.
- Strong background in numerical methods, scientific computing, physics-based modeling, and optimization algorithms.
- Proficiency in C++ software development.
- Experience with Python for algorithm development and data analysis.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with electromagnetic simulation and numerical solution of field equations, including methods such as RCWA, FDTD, FEM, or related techniques.
- Experience with inverse problems, optimization, uncertainty quantification, and regression methods.
- Experience with machine learning and AI techniques.
- Experience with HPC software development, including CUDA, TensorFlow, JAX, GPU computing, and parallel processing.
- Experience in semiconductor metrology, computational imaging, optical metrology, or related fields is a plus.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Total Rewards
Base Pay Range: $105,900.00 - $180,000.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLAKLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Use of AI Statement
At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
Equal Opportunity Statement
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.
To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.
Group/Division
The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) division delivers industry-leading metrology solutions essential to advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Its portfolio includes systems for measuring film thickness, critical dimensions, composition, and resistivity—key to developing and scaling next-gen IC processes. FaST partners closely with customers from early R&D through high-volume production, ensuring performance and process alignment.What You'll Do
In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.
Qualifications
- PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field preferred.
- Strong background in numerical methods, scientific computing, physics-based modeling, and optimization algorithms.
- Proficiency in C++ software development.
- Experience with Python for algorithm development and data analysis.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with electromagnetic simulation and numerical solution of field equations, including methods such as RCWA, FDTD, FEM, or related techniques.
- Experience with inverse problems, optimization, uncertainty quantification, and regression methods.
- Experience with machine learning and AI techniques.
- Experience with HPC software development, including CUDA, TensorFlow, JAX, GPU computing, and parallel processing.
- Experience in semiconductor metrology, computational imaging, optical metrology, or related fields is a plus.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Total Rewards
Base Pay Range: $105,900.00 - $180,000.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLAKLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Use of AI Statement
At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
Equal Opportunity Statement
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.
See All 6 Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Scientist Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across Michigan.
- Master's or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline such as chemistry, biology, or materials science
- Demonstrated research experience through publications, dissertations, or industry lab work
- Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation, data analysis software, and experimental design methods
- Ability to design, execute, and document independent research protocols under minimal supervision
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including engineers, clinicians, or product developers
- Strong written and oral communication skills for presenting findings to technical and non-technical audiences
Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research scientist in Michigan?
Most research scientist roles in Michigan require at least a master's degree, and many positions in pharmaceutical, biomedical, or advanced materials research favor a PhD. Michigan does not require a state-issued license specifically for the research scientist title, but roles in clinical research or regulated laboratory settings may require alignment with federal Good Laboratory Practice standards or institutional credentialing through an employer such as a university hospital or regulated manufacturer.
Which companies hire research scientists in Michigan?
Employers hiring research scientists in Michigan right now include KLA, Wayne State University, and Charles River Laboratories, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's concentration of automotive OEMs, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and Big Ten research universities creates a broad and sustained base of research hiring well beyond a single sector.
Which Michigan cities have the most research scientist jobs?
The cities with the most research scientist openings in Michigan are Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Mattawan. Ann Arbor anchors the market through the University of Michigan and its affiliated research institutes, while Detroit draws demand from automotive R&D centers and Dearborn campuses, and Grand Rapids reflects growth in medical device and life sciences manufacturing tied to its expanding health systems corridor.
How can I get hired as a research scientist in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or associate scientist role, which large Michigan employers such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Pfizer's Kalamazoo operations regularly post for candidates with a bachelor's or in-progress graduate degree. Completing a thesis or capstone project, contributing to a published study, or completing a co-op through Michigan's university systems significantly strengthens an application for these roles.
Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across industries including life sciences, automotive research, and materials science. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly through each listing.
See All 6 Research Scientist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist Jobs