Doctoral student in Electrical Engineering focusing on design of radio frequency integrated circuits

Description of the workplace

This position is at the Department of Electrical and Information Technology, EIT, and in the Division of Integrated Electronic Systems, IES. The research at the Division balances the system perspective with the circuit perspective. We design integrated circuits (IC:s) in advanced nanometer silicon (foremost CMOS) technologies, e.g. radiofrequency and millimeter-wave radio frontends, data converters, digital signal processors, and larger systems containing both analog and digital functions.

Our team includes professors, associate professors, researchers and administrative staff, fostering a rich intellectual environment conducive of rewarding collaborations. We offer a supportive work environment, promoting an optimal professional growth via an adequate balance between work effort and personal time. New employees have the opportunity to engage in truly relevant research projects, educational initiatives and industry collaborations, contributing to our overall mission of advancing the state-of-the-art in IC design.

Being a doctoral student 

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. 

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se. 

Subject and project description

With funding from Sweden’s Innovation Agency, Vinnova, we now open a new doctoral student position. The participants in the project are Lund University, Chalmers and Ericsson, and the research is to be performed in close cooperation between academic and industrial researchers. 

The collaboration with Ericsson focuses on system level aspects and antennas, and with Chalmers on transmitter linearization techniques, this will provide rich possibilities for increased visibility and impact on the research.

The research area for the position is radio frequency integrated circuits for transmitters in wireless devices for the 6th generation mobile communication systems (6G) operating in the 7-12 GHz frequency range, part of the so-called FR3 frequency range. Integrated transmitter circuits and architectures with high efficiency, output power, and linearity for 6G signals will be investigated. The interface to the antenna and its impedance variations will also be taken into account. 

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. 

Your research will focus on design of radio frequency integrated circuits. You will then develop new solutions on circuit and architecture level, design and simulate circuits, design chip layout and passive components with EM-simulations, and set up and perform measurements in the lab.

You will write scientific papers and present them at international conferences and publish in international journals.

Furthermore, you will take doctoral student courses to deepen your knowledge in integrated circuit design, CAD tools, wireless systems, and other relevant areas. 

The duties also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours).

Qualifications 

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

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 Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mathematics, Nanoengineering, Engineering Physics, or Information and Communication Engineering.

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required: 

• Good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. 
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Good ability to cooperate.
• Very good knowledge of English, spoken and written. 
• An MSc or similar with specialization in Analog/RF integrated circuit design, or significant industrial experience in the area.

Other qualifications 

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications: 

• Experience with CAD tools for analog/RF integrated circuit design.
• Experience with high frequency measurements.
• Experience in analog/RF integrated circuit design.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
More about working at Lund University on lu.se. 

About the employment 

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting as soon as possible by agreement, however no later than December 1, 2026. 
Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.
More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include: 

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. 
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project. 
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.

About the Faculty of Engineering