PhD student in material science - Soft electronic solid-state cooling
Back to available jobsWe are recruiting a PhD student to work on a novel solid state cooling technology based on soft electronic materials. The position is in the Soft Electronics group, Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University.
Your work assignments
Air conditioning currently accounts for 10 % of global electricity use and is one of the major drivers for global growth in electricity demand and the International Energy Agency (IEA) has therefore identified cooling technology as a key area for reducing emissions and climate change. Vapor compression refrigeration systems are today dominating the market, but they are associated with several issues including cost, efficiency, safety, greenhouse gases, and space. This project aims at developing an alternative cooling technology based on soft electronic solid-state cooling. The combination of soft electronics and polymeric caloric materials will be explored and developed, with the aim of substantially improving the efficiency and adiabatic temperature change in polymeric caloric materials. The project includes a wide range of activities from material and conceptual development to device design, fabrication and characterization. The PhD studies will include laser processing of materials and components in a cleanroom facility, together with the characterization of electrical/mechanical material properties and device performance. The work will be performed in a highly collaborative research environment and closely with Assistant Professor Aiman Rahmanudin from the Soft Electronics group
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 Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/ which is 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.
As a doctoral student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.
Your workplace
The Soft Electronics group is an international team led by Professor Klas Tybrandt and is part of the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE). We develop composite materials, design concepts and devices for soft and deformable electronic systems. Areas of special interest are energy harvesting/storage, bioelectronics and neural interfaces, stretchable (semi)conductors, and actuators. Many of our projects are based on national and international collaborations including a variety of competences. Prof. Tybrandt is the recipient of the ERC CoG 2022 and Wallenberg Academy Fellow 2021. Read more at: https://liu.se/en/research/soft-electronics
At the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) we explore electronic and optical properties of organic semiconductors, biomaterials from the forest, and hybrid organic materials. We share a common interest in utilizing the combination of electronic and ionic charge for use in healthcare and biology applications, energy, and the internet-of-things. Our research topics include synthesis, material science, theory and modeling, device physics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and system design. Our activities span the range from basic research to commercialization, the latter carried out in close collaboration with the institute RISE. LOE currently has ~150 researchers and research students divided into 9 units, each led by a principal investigator. Read more at www.liu.se/loe
Linköping University (LiU) conducts world-leading, cross-disciplinary research in fields that include materials science, IT and life science technology. LiU is one of the largest universities in Sweden and today has 40,000 students and 4,500 employees. The students are among the most desirable in the labour market and international rankings consistently place LiU as a leading global university. Read more at www.liu.se
Your qualifications
You have graduated at Master’s level in material science, applied physics, nanoscience, material chemistry, or a related field, or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.
Experience in stretchable electronics and polymeric caloric materials is a merit. Desirable personal skills and traits for the position are highly motivated, ambitious, problem solving skills and teamwork ability. Research at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics is carried out predominantly in English, so relative fluency is favorable.
Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and suitability.
The employment
When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University
The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.
Starting date during Spring 2025 or by agreement.
Salary and employment benefits
The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression. The starting salary for our PhDs is 33 900 SEK/month.
More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.
Union representatives
Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.
Application procedure
Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than 31st of January 2025.
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.
The following documents must be submitted:
- Cover letter, max 1 page, describing your background, research interests and what makes you interested in the position.
- CV, max 4 pages, including contact details to three reference persons.
- Copy of passport, MSc diploma (if available), and MSc transcripts with grades.
We look forward to receiving your application!
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