Meet Didier Landru, Winner of the 2024 Top Inventor Award

Awarded the Top Inventor Award 2024 by Soitec in October 2024, Didier Landru, Scientific Expert in Innovation at Soitec, seamlessly blends fundamental research with industrial applications. Holding a PhD in materials science, he joined Soitec in 2006, following an initial experience in a major industrial group. Since then, he has filed 84 patents for Soitec, including five in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Through his contributions, he continuously pushes the boundaries of scientific innovation within the company. His career, marked by a gradual shift from process engineering to scientific expertise, highlights the diversity and depth of opportunities within the industry. This award recognizes Didier’s expertise and the impact of his work on Soitec’s technological advancements.

Why did you choose to work in the industry?

After completing my PhD, I realized that academic research wasn’t the right fit for me. What drew me to the industry was its tangible and operational nature. I started my career as a process engineer in the manufacturing line of a major semiconductor manufacturer. Over time, I moved upstream in the innovation cycle, working on process development and prototyping of new products. As my interests evolved, I transitioned into scientific expertise, where I now tackle complex challenges while delivering tangible results.

What is your role at Soitec?

I am both a scientist and an engineer. I work in the Innovation department, where I focus on scientific expertise. My work involves conducting fundamental research to better understand process and material behaviors, often in collaboration with laboratories and PhD students. Given the specificity of Soitec’s processes, we need to conduct high-level research in-house, which is not very common in the industry.

What motivates you most in your job?

The diversity of topics. I work on research projects exploring new materials for long-term applications while also contributing to immediate problem-solving in the cleanroom. I enjoy seeing concrete results, whether it’s a new piece of equipment or an improved process. I also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with experts from diverse backgrounds, which enriches my daily work.

What are the key skills and qualities required for your job?

My guiding principle is pedagogy. I greatly enjoy explaining complex concepts in a clear and tailored way, whether to share knowledge or convince others of a solution’s relevance. Communication is just as critical, as I interact with various stakeholders, from process engineers in cleanrooms to researchers in laboratories. Finally, perseverance is essential—some research projects take years to yield results, so staying focused on the long-term vision is crucial, even when immediate results are not visible.

A project you are particularly proud of?

One significant project was the design of new furnaces for the cleanroom. These pieces of equipment, originally developed for other uses, posed major technical challenges when adapted to SOI (Silicon-on-Insulator) technology. It took several years to understand and model the physics and chemistry involved, followed by extensive efforts to convince the supplier to modify the design of their machines to align with our process constraints. Today, these furnaces are fully operational in production. Seeing research materialize into an industrial solution is truly rewarding.

What makes your work at Soitec unique?

Soitec stands out for its rigorous scientific culture, where decisions are driven by facts and data. This data-driven approach, combined with a strong appreciation for engineering work, is a real strength. Additionally, Soitec undertakes ambitious projects, led by dedicated teams collaborating with the most advanced players in the global industry. Finally, Soitec’s unique expertise—particularly in Smart Cut™ technology—and its commitment to protecting its know-how make it particularly rewarding to contribute to major technological breakthroughs.

What advice would you give to young professionals?

Dive into the industry without hesitation! This sector urgently needs engineers to tackle numerous technical challenges in research, production, quality, logistics, and more. These roles are intellectually stimulating and diverse, offering incredible opportunities for career growth and transition. With ongoing technological advancements, they are becoming even more exciting.

At Soitec, we collaborate with the world’s leading manufacturers of equipment, silicon, and integrated circuits. This means working alongside those designing some of the most complex objects ever created by humankind. A smartphone alone represents an extraordinary level of complexity. By joining this dynamic field, you’re actively shaping the future of technology and becoming part of an incredible journey of innovation.