Doctoral student in Electrical Engineering (Integrated Circuit Design) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
Doctoral student in Electrical Engineering (Integrated Circuit Design) in the area of electronic circuit design, specifically the design of very-wide-band analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters (ADCs and DACs).

Work duties
The research is in the area of integrated circuit design, targeting data conversion in 5G receivers and transmitters, especially for massive multiple-inputs multiple-outputs (MIMO) communication, which is attracting a huge interest due to a much increased capacity in the 5G communication system. Massive MIMO base-stations will use hundreds of signal paths to address different users, and it is clear that power consumption, silicon area, and fabrication cost are major issues.

The doctoral student will investigate how ADCs and/or DACs can be designed in a mainstream CMOS technology to handle very-wide-band 5G signals in the most efficient way.

The theoretical study, design and experimental testing of integrated ADCs/DACs are therefore the most important parts of the invisioned research work.

Moreover, the doctoral student will attend a number of third-cycle courses, while work duties will also include teaching and other possible departmental tasks, not exceeding, however, 20% of the total.

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired an equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Electrical Engineering if he or she has:

• at least 60 second-cycle credits in subjects of relevance to electrical engineering, or
• a Master of Science in electrical engineering, engineering mathematics, nano-engineering, engineering physics or information and communication engineering.

Additional requirements:

• Specialization in the design of analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of the student’s potential is primarily performed on the basis of academic results from the first and second study cycles. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to described research project.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Courses and Master’s thesis in integrated circuits design, data converters, and high-speed digital circuits.
• Working experience in design of high-speed integrated circuits for radio communication.
• Experience using CAD systems for integrated circuit design.
• Experience in high-speed measurements.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Conditions
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1998:80).

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).