Doctoral student in Electrical Engineering with focus on nanoelectronics and electromagnetics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Today, industrial production facilities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, constituting more than a third of the total emissions in Sweden. Therefore, accurate measurement of methane and carbon dioxide emissions from factories is deemed to be vital to achieve a climate-neutral society. Optical detection of these gases can be efficiently done in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) spectrum, but current detectors require cryogenic cooling and contain hazardous heavy metals. It is thus a key environmental challenge to enable sustainable, high-temperature optical detectors in the MWIR spectrum.

Project

The subject of this project is to realize a novel metamaterial device based on 3D-integrated III-V semiconductor nanowires and metallic nano-antennas, to achieve MWIR photodetection beyond the conventional limit, at room temperature and with minimal use of critical raw materials. To achieve this the student will work at the intersection between two research groups at EMN, combining novel nanotechnology with excellence in electromagnetic design, to understand and utilize the fascinating physical phenomena arising at the boundary between semiconductors and metals upon strong optical excitation.

The subject thus spans several fields of study, including crystal growth, nanoelectronics fabrication, electromagnetic simulation and optical characterization, offering both breadth and depth to the student’s thesis. The research work will be conducted in close collaboration with experienced researchers and doctoral students within the Division as well as at the synchrotron facility MAX IV. 

The Doctoral student position will be at the Division of Electromagnetics and Nanoelectronics (EMN) at the Department of Electrical and Information Technology (EIT) within the Faculty of Engineering of Lund University. 

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more: https://wise-materials.org

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The research will primarily involve:

• Fabrication and characterization of semiconductor nanostructures in cleanroom environment (Lund Nano Lab)
• Electrical and optical characterization of fabricated devices.
• Advanced simulations for optimal electromagnetic design of devices.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• 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 substantially 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 the applicant has: 

• at least 60 second-cycle credits in subjects of relevance to electrical engineering, or
• a MSc in Engineering in engineering nanotechnology, engineering physics (MSc in Physics is also valid), electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, engineering mathematics, or information and communication engineering.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Very good knowledge of one or several subjects in physics, electromagnetics, or material science. 

Assessment criteria

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

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
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, or demonstrated knowledge in material science, device physics, electromagnetics.
• Experience in electromagnetic design problems
• Knowledge from experimental research, e.g. clean room work and device characterization. 

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.

Terms of employment 

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 (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

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.).