DuPont’s Randal King Joins Purdue University’s Semiconductor Degrees Leadership Board

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DuPont announced that Randal King, PhD, Vice President of R&D/Technology, DuPont Electronics & Industrial, has been named to Purdue University’s Semiconductor Degrees Leadership Board.

As a member of the Board, Dr. King will bring his unique perspectives from DuPont into the Semiconductor Degrees Program. Introduced in 2022, the Semiconductor Degrees Program is one of the first in the U.S. to offer semiconductor-specific credentials to graduate and undergraduate students as well as a master’s degree in semiconductor engineering to prepare students for a variety of careers in the industry. Students can take classes on a wide range of topics including semiconductor materials, devices, and manufacturing, system on chip design, thermal management, heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging, and green manufacturing. Students have experiential learning opportunities through STARS (Summer Training and Awareness for Semiconductors) and through industry-advised student project teams during the academic year.

The Semiconductor Degrees Leadership Board is a group of senior industry professionals representing the breadth of the semiconductor supply chain. The Board plays an active role in ensuring the Program’s content reflects current and future workforce needs, including skilled roles in fab operations, innovation, product development, engineering, technical service, quality, data science, and other related areas.

“I’m honored to join the Purdue University Semiconductor Degrees Leadership Board to provide guidance on programs that support the next generation of the semiconductor workforce,” said Dr. King. “Through mentorship, education, and collaboration, this program will help develop qualified talent to meet growing demand across the electronics ecosystem and prepare individuals for the unique challenges of the semiconductor industry.”

According to a recent report from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the U.S. is expected to triple semiconductor manufacturing capacity from 2022 to 2032, with policies such as the CHIPS and Science Act supporting investments throughout the supply chain (SIA, 2024). However, research from Deloitte and other firms indicates there will be a talent shortage of 70,000 or more fab jobs alone (Deloitte, 2022), and additional talent needed throughout the supply chain. One key path to addressing future talent needs is by attracting and training more students for careers in semiconductor fields.

DuPont is a key semiconductor materials supplier in the U.S., with domestic research and development and manufacturing operations for materials including pads and slurries for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), photoresists and other microlithography materials, advanced cleaning chemistries, electronic polymers, and advanced packaging materials.

Dr. King brings more than 30 years of industry experience, and currently leads innovation strategy and worldwide research and development investment, and the execution and management of all technical resources for DuPont’s Electronics & Industrial business, a technology leader serving the semiconductor, circuit board, display, digital and flexographic printing, healthcare, aerospace, defense, industrial and transportation industries.