Doctoral student in Physics within nanowire based light emitting diodes

Description of the workplace
The research at the division of Solid State Physics focuses around different aspects of semiconductor physics, ranging from materials science to quantum physics, to different applications. The division also leads NanoLund, the major interdisciplinary research environment within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University. Lund Nano Lab is a central key facility for fabrication of material and devices on the nanoscale. The division is also heavily involved in the undergraduate education, especially within the “Engineering Nanoscience” program.

Since almost ten years, our research within the area of one-dimensional semiconductor structures, so called nanowires, has been at the international forefront. So far, our three main areas have been: epitaxial growth of nanowires, fundamental properties studied with transport physics and optical physics, and more applied nanoelectronics.

Lund Nano Lab is well equipped with several epitaxy machines and processing tools as well as characterization equipment, all in a clean room environment. In addition, we have access to advanced characterization equipment outside Lund Nano Lab, such as local access to electro-optical characterization, and measurements of internal and external quantum efficiency as well as low temperature photoluminescence characterization and electrical characterization, and more, to determine materials properties. The close collaboration within NanoLund provides access to transmission electron microscopy as well as MAXIV, which contributes to the advanced characterization of the material's crystal properties and deeper insights into parameters that affect them.

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

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

For more information, see: www.ftf.lth.se, www.nano.lu.se and https://www.nano.lu.se/magnus-borgstrom


Work duties
The goal within the project is to evaluate the potential for charge carrier diffusion-induced light-emitting diodes based on nanowires. The candidate will develop the growth and characterization of nanowires for light-emitting diodes based on charge carrier diffusion and also quantized heterostructures for fundamental electrical and optical measurements.

• The work is mainly experimental and you will work in a clean room environment.
• You will learn and optimize metal-organic gas phase epitaxy for synthesis, and cleanroom tools will be used for processing and further characterization.
• Process development for surface passivation and fabrication of millimeter-sized nanowire light-emitting diodes containing millions of light-emitting diodes will be essential.
• You are expected to work independently and, in a group, as well as in close collaboration with other research groups linked to the project. For example, another EU-funded project based on light emission and light detection is underway where you will contribute materials and knowledge about their production and properties.

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 can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).


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 substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

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

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or
• an MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Basis of assessment
Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills
• Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other assessment criteria

• Being able to quickly assimilate new techniques and knowledge is meriting.
• Undergraduate degrees should include courses in solid state physics, materials science and materials analysis. The research is largely interdisciplinary, which is why a broad competence and experience in relevant areas of physics, chemistry, material science and nanoscience is of value.
• Ability to work in a laboratory will be essential and experience of experimental work in clean rooms, crystal cultivation, material analysis and electro-optical structures is meritorious.
• Knowledge in the Swedish language is meriting.

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 should 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 alternatively a summary if the work is not completed, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome with your application! 

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.