PhD Position in Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of WBG Semiconductors

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a 3-year position as a Ph.D. in Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of WBG Semiconductors. The position is located in the section of Electrical Engineering in Sønderborg within the Centre for Industrial Electronics (CIE). CIE is embedded in a powerhouse in electronics, which includes researchers and developers at universities and industries on both sides of the Danish-German border. The position starts on September 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, depending on the agreement with the successful candidate.

The application deadline is June 30, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

CIE Research develops advanced power semiconductor components using cutting-edge technologies. We focus on novel WBG devices, including GaN and SiC, designing them for superior efficiency and performance. Our goal is to create next-generation solutions that tackle key challenges in the semiconductor industry.

We are looking for a motivated candidate for a Ph.D. in the “Next-Generation GaN Devices: Advancing Efficiency and Overcoming Industry Challenges”. This research-industrial project focuses on GaN device technologies to address challenges in power electronics, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and industrial applications. The candidate will prioritize industry requirements in designing these devices. The role involves designing, developing, and characterizing GaN devices in collaboration with our industry partners.

The candidate will have the opportunity to work on several aspects involved in demonstrating high-performance devices: Numerical simulations, device fabrication in the cleanroom (relying on international partners), and device characterization (relying on the facilities in the CIE lab, for static and dynamic measurements and reliability measurements).

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Learning: Develop expertise in GaN device physics and wide-bandgap semiconductor technology.
• Simulation Training: Conduct Silvaco TCAD simulations (fabrication processes, device modeling, and circuit-level simulations) .
• Experimental Work: Participate in cleanroom processes, device fabrication, and electrical measurements (e.g., I-V, C-V, and breakdown tests).
• Reliability Testing: Assist in performing reliability and lifetime tests on fabricated devices.
• International Exchange: Participate in an international research exchange program (3 months to 1 year) at a partner university or research institute to gain new skills and enhance collaboration.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree (or nearing completion) in Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of semiconductor device physics, preferably wide-bandgap materials (e.g., GaN).
• Experience or coursework in device simulation tools (e.g., Silvaco TCAD) is a plus.
• Strong interest and willingness to learn experimental techniques for device fabrication and characterization.
• Familiarity with electrical measurements (e.g., I-V, C-V) is desirable.
• Proficiency in scientific writing and communication (English).

What is offered: The selected candidate will be offered a fully paid fellowship with a very competitive salary and excellent conditions to excel in their research.

Further information is available Associate Professor Samaneh Sharbati, phone: +45 65 50 82 60, email: [email protected] 

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected].

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position.

The monthly gross salary incl. pension is 35.707DKR. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step. 

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission.

Employment as a PhD fellow governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). 

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser. 

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Application procedure

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply and Faculty information for prospective PhD students.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material. Please include the following documents in English: 

• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages) 
• Curriculum Vitae, describing research, publication, and teaching experience, computational skills, and including personal contact information.
• Certificates/Diplomas (bachelor’s and master’s degree) – incl. transcripts of grades in Danish and/or English. 
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: Please submit an official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• References may also be includes, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’. 

Documents must not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB

The application deadline is June 30, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position. 

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.