imec

imec is a major global R&D organization in advanced semiconductor and digital technology, employing more than 6,500 scientists, engineers, and innovators from over 100 countries. Its international research network spans Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA, with representation across three continents. In 2024, imec reported €1.034 billion in revenue and collaborated with more than 800 companies, over 250 universities, and more than 340 startups and scale-ups through imec.istart. Its position is supported by advanced R&D infrastructure, extensive technical expertise, and long-standing collaboration across the semiconductor and broader deep-tech ecosystem.

Rather than a conventional product portfolio, imec develops semiconductor technology platforms, process technologies, prototype devices, and customized electronic solutions that enable companies to develop and scale new hardware technologies. Its activities range from advanced process development and prototyping to customized semiconductor solutions, providing customers with a path from technology concept and device development toward manufacturing.

Its technologies support applications including advanced computing and AI, high-speed communications, sensing and imaging, medical devices, automotive systems, robotics, energy, agrifood, and space. By combining advanced microchip technology with sensors, photonics, connectivity, and AI, imec develops components and systems designed for applications where performance, miniaturization, power efficiency, and reliability are critical.

imec focuses on advanced semiconductor and digital technology, with activities extending across semiconductor technology, healthcare and life sciences, automotive and mobility, data and telecommunications, robotics and Industry 4.0, sustainable energy, agrifood, space, security, consumer electronics, and smart buildings. Its solutions address challenges including semiconductor scaling, increasing compute and connectivity requirements, energy efficiency, advanced sensing, autonomous systems, precision healthcare, and sustainable production.

The company specializes in advanced semiconductor and nanoelectronics technology, integrated photonics, sensing and actuation, connectivity, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and 3D integration. Its core expertise spans CMOS and beyond-CMOS technologies, semiconductor process development, chip design, silicon photonics, MEMS, imaging, and low-power computing. Imec combines these capabilities with software, data science, microfluidics, and biomedical engineering to develop technologies for applications ranging from high-performance computing and telecommunications to healthcare, automotive systems, robotics, energy, and agrifood.

Imec contributes to the advancement of semiconductor technology while applying its research to a broad range of industries, including healthcare, automotive and mobility, telecommunications, energy, robotics and Industry 4.0, agrifood, space, security, and consumer electronics. Its work covers advanced chip architectures for AI and high-performance computing, integrated photonics for high-speed communications and sensing, semiconductor-enabled medical and health technologies, autonomous sensing technologies for robotics, and sensor-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Its technologies have also enabled applications such as hyperspectral imaging for precision agriculture, advanced radar and sensor-fusion systems for autonomous robotics, radiation-resistant electronics and imaging technologies for space, and compact sensing and monitoring technologies for healthcare and smart buildings. Through this combination of fundamental research, technology development, and application-focused innovation, imec helps translate advances in nanoelectronics and digital technology into practical systems across multiple industries.

imec partners with Metheion to source highly specialized engineering and R&D profiles across semiconductor technology, advanced materials, nanotechnology, process development, thin-film deposition, electrochemistry, device integration, photonics, sensing, and related deep-tech fields.

Metheion specializes in identifying technical talent with the combination of hands-on engineering expertise and deep scientific knowledge required for advanced R&D environments. Through this partnership, Metheion helps imec access specialized engineers and researchers who can contribute to technology development, process innovation, experimental R&D, and the translation of emerging technologies into scalable semiconductor and other deep-tech solutions.