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Metal oxide thin films are essential layers and interfaces in various optoelectronic applications including solar cells, smart windows, displays and semiconductor devices. Tuning their properties (resistivity, transmittance, carrier concentration and mobility) is a deposition-process dependent task that also includes detailed thin film characterization by various methods (SEM, XRD, XPS, Auger and Raman, just to mention the main ones). If you are interested in thin film fabrication by physical vapor deposition methods we are offering a unique opportunity that combines access to cleanroom facilities for deposition and characterization with access to plasma laboratory, where aspects of plasma induced or assisted sputtering are investigated by specific methods such as: mass spectrometry, optical emission and probes.
You will be based at DTU Nanolab, where we conduct cross-disciplinary research in nanofabrication and characterization in collaboration with several DTU departments. The Plasma Aided Nanotechnology research group hosts the plasma laboratory and is actively involved in deposition of functional thin films for various applications, including transparent conducting oxides for solar cells and smart windows, electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries, interface layers for fuel cells and functional membranes.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The overall ambition of this PhD project is to understand the growth mechanism of metal oxide thin films by magnetron plasma sputtering, including various modes of operation (direct current, pulsed, mid-frequency, radio frequency and high power impulse magnetron sputtering) in configurations with flat and rotatable targets. This understanding will be propagated as to improve the conventional sputtering methods with respect to setup design and process receipt.
Your main contribution will be deposition and characterisation of thin films in direct interaction with plasma diagnostics. The primary tasks will be to:
- plan and execute experimental research
- deposit thin films by magnetron plasma sputtering for various process parameters
- measure the optoelectronic properties (resistivity, transmittance, carrier concentration, mobility)
- perform analytical characterization
- integrate the functional thin films in optoelectronic devices in direct collaboration with scientific collaborators
- analyse the results and write scientific reports and papers
- contribute as teaching assistant at DTU Nanolab and supervise BSc and MSc student projects
You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in micro- or nanoengineering, physics, mechanical or electric engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree. Experience with cleanroom fabrication is an advantage. You are expected to have a high level of interest in nanofabrication and be able to interact with researchers in a very interdisciplinary environment. A high-grade average and excellent English language skills are decisive to be considered for the scholarship.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by senior researcher and group leader Eugen Stamate, Associate Professor Flemming Jensen and process specialist Evgeniy Shkondin from DTU Nanolab.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years and will start on 1st August 2021 or as soon as possible hereafter.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Eugen Stamate, eust@dtu.dk.
You can read more about DTU Nanolab and the Plasma Aided Nanotechnology research group at www.nanolab.dtu.dk.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 5 June 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
- Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
You may apply prior to obtaining your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
