University of Liverpool

Chief Executive Officer at Paragraf

Establishing, growing and driving forward a new high potential, cutting edge technology company.  Managing all aspects of the business and working with investors, directors and colleagues at all levels to deliver the strategic goals of the business.

Pushing the boundaries of electronics technologies, Paragraf is exploiting the unique properties of two-dimensional materials, including graphene, to deliver devices with significantly improved performance capabilities over current market products.

As a spin-out from the University of Cambridge, Paragraf is carrying unique scientific discoveries and advancements forward into a commercial prospect.

Paragraf

Chief Executive Officer

Consultant to materials science technology space companies, assisting with process and equipment troubleshooting and the design of custom process, equipment and tool solutions for specific bespoke needs or challenges.

A role that covers vast fields of science and engineering, the challenges range focused point of failure analysis all the way through to system design and delivery starting from fundamental first principles.

Scientific Dynamics

Scientific Director

Conducting research into innovative approaches to improve GaN based compound semiconductor materials produced by vapour phase epitaxy.  Developing new technologies, processes and hardware to improve material quality and yield and deliver new structures via MOCVD and CVD, including GaN on diamond substrates, Boron Nitride films and new GaN mixtures and heterostructures.

Invention and development of novel equipment, systems and hardware for the formation and production of two-dimensional materials. Projects involving the build and modification of technologies to enable a new approach to the creation of layer graphene and related monolayer materials resulting in spin out of the company Paragraf.

University of Cambridge

Research Associate

A company management team role with the responsibility for two AIXTRON engineering group functions:

Scientific Engineering development team manager

Management of the Scientific Engineering entity at AIXTRON Ltd, developing innovative solutions for the progression of the semiconductor manufacturing tool and ancillary support tool portfolio and providing a scientific support service to the greater company engineering group

R&D Laboratory and technical team manager

Management of the R&D lab function, facility and support team, providing a scientific test and custom experimental design facility for AIXTRON group

AIXTRON Ltd

Scientific Engineering Manager

A company management team role with the primary responsibility of introducing an improved scientific approach to the engineering of MOCVD tools and supporting technologies linking the performance of end product with the engineering of manufactured systems

Core responsibilities:
-  Introduction, development and management of a new entity, the Scientific Engineering team
-  Innovation of new technologies from scientific first principles, championing a scientific approach to NPD
-  Development of R&D test facilities into a high quality scientific laboratory for qualification of new 	 technology and processes
-  Introduction of Scientific advisory group/service to the company

Lead Scientist

A technology development Project Management and Product support role within the engineering department of AIXTRON Ltd (UK).  Using fundamental semiconductor growth science, system operation experience and first hand customer feedback to improve AIXTRON portfolio systems, tools and components

Core responsibilities:
-  Concept development of new/improved AIXTRON MOCVD systems and support tools
-  NPD management through to market delivery
-  Product and field support management of new tools
-  Scientific consultant to AIXTRON engineering department.
-  Introduction and support of 3rd party/OEM support equipment for AIXTRON business

Senior Scientist

A field support and development role working with customers and clients on special requests, joint development projects and general system and material growth problems worldwide

Core responsibilities:
-  Novel MOCVD system field work and special development projects
-  Troubleshooting issues on high priority systems, particularly in high customer pressure conditions
-  Managing and running JDP’s with industrial and academic partners
-  Developing end product semiconductor devices for customers (LED’s, LD’s, FET’s, HEMT’s ...)

Senior Process Scientist

A field service engineer position installing, commissioning and demonstrating MOCVD systems and ancillary supporting tools for and at customer sites and facilities worldwide.

Core responsibilities:
-  System and tool start-up, demonstration and qualification leading to customer final acceptance
-  Growth/deposition of semiconductor materials/alloys/thin films using CVD reactors
-  Deliver hardware, technology and basic science knowledge transfer through training courses
-  Final point of contact for customers, completion of contract requirements for final system payment

Simon Thomas