In their three-year training at the University of Magdeburg, aspiring microtechnologists learn how to manufacture computer chips or airbag sensors in a clean room, among other things. After completing the program, they are able to work in the chip industry or in research institutions.

Microtechnologists produce microtechnological products such as computer chips or airbag sensors. To make these microchips they use coating methods, by applying, for example, crystalline or insulated layers to the carriers of these systems. They assemble the carriers though soldering and bonding. Afterwards they seal the elements in order to protect them from rust and the like. They set up, operate and supervise production plants. To achieve the necessary quality, they carry out inspections and final tests that accompany the process.

Microtechnologists are employed in the chip industry and in research institutions. They work in production facilities and in research and development laboratories.

Training duration: 3 years
Minimum school qualification: good secondary school certificate

Activities at a glance

• Planning and organizing workflows, documenting them and implementing quality assurance measures
• Dealing with working materials taking into account occupational health and safety regulations as well as environmental protection
• Storing of requisite working materials/chemicals and making them available for the production process
• Maintaining systems for the preparation of process chemicals and ensuring a proper disposal of waste materials
• Ensuring and monitoring clean room conditions
• Setting up of systems for the manufacture of microproducts
• Setting up of process parameters and establishing of production skills
• Operating, feeding and monitoring systems for the implementation of manufacturing and assembly processes and optimizing process parameters in accordance with the inspections that accompany the process
• Carrying out inspections and final tests that accompany the process
• Identification of malfunctions in process flows
• Implementing actions to secure process flows
• Identifying potential for improvement in yield, quality, lead times and efficiency
• Testing of systems for the production of microproducts
• Identification of malfunctions and carrying out of preventative maintenance measures

Postgraduate study programs

With the Master’s in Advance Semiconductor Nanotechnologies, the University of Magdeburg offers a study program that enables its graduates to commence a career in the semiconductor industry. The four semester-long program is part of the location plan for the Intel site in Magdeburg. It is a restricted-admission program and is conducted in English.

With the English-language Master’s program in Computational Methods in Engineering, the University of Magdeburg is educating experts who are able to work at the interface between different traditional engineering disciplines and software development. They will learn to analyze technical problems mathematically and to simulate solutions on the computer.