Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 staff in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and people's conditions.

Description of the activity

The PhD position is attached to the Division of Solid State Physics at the Department of Physics, a division with approximately 100 staff members conducting extensive research centered around various aspects of nanophysics, ranging from materials science to bio- and quantum physics with different applications. The division is a central part of NanoLund, Lund University's large interdisciplinary research center for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The division hosts Prof. Vanya Darakchieva's research group. Research over the past twenty years on the manufacturing and advanced characterization of semiconductors with wide and ultrawide bandgaps has been at the international forefront.

For more information see www.ftf.lth.se (http://www.ftf.lth.se), www.nano.lu.se (http://www.nano.lu.se), https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/vanya-darakchieva/ (https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/vanya-darakchieva/), https://kaw.wallenberg.org/en/research/semiconductor-bandgap-key-future-green-electronics (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/en/research/semiconductor-bandgap-key-future-green-electronics), https://c3nit.se/ (https://c3nit.se/)

Being a PhD student

As a PhD student, you are both admitted as a student and employed by Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in thinking critically and analytically, solving problems independently using appropriate methods, and developing an awareness of research ethics. Additionally, as a PhD student, you have the opportunity to work on projects, develop your leadership skills, and enhance your pedagogical abilities. Throughout your studies, you are guided by supervisors. The doctoral studies conclude with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a PhD student at LTH on lth.se (http://lth.se)

Subject and project description

The project aims to develop a deterministic method for creating quantum defects in AlN for room-temperature applications. The focus lies on how the combination of advanced MOVPE growth with carbon-free (halide-based) precursors, machine learning-driven optimization based on Bayesian methods, and a new THz spectroscopy that directly investigates defect properties forms a research framework in a closed loop. The project builds on Lund University's strong expertise in MOVPE of III-nitrides and III-oxides, enabling materials with high purity and improved performance of electronic components. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology to develop machine learning methods that accelerate materials synthesis by efficiently navigating high-dimensional, strongly coupled process spaces. The position is part of a larger initiative within the Wallenberg-Scholar program concerning the next generation of UWBG semiconductors for quantum technology and green electronics.

Job responsibilities

You will primarily focus on your doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects, doctoral courses, seminars, and conferences.

The responsibilities include MOVPE growth of AlN and Sc-alloyed AlN for systematic mapping of growth parameters, including temperature, pressure, precursor flow rates, and V/III ratio. Additionally, structural characterization using X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, as well as electrical characterization using IV measurement, is included. The work will also involve developing a framework for multi-objective Bayesian optimization to simultaneously reduce the formation of native defects and unintentional impurity incorporation.

The responsibilities also include participation in teaching and other departmental activities (max 20% of working time).

Qualifications

To be admitted and employed as a PhD student, you must meet the requirements below.

Entry requirements

You meet the general entry requirements for doctoral studies if you have:

• completed an advanced level degree or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

You meet the specific entry requirements for physics if you have:

• at least 30 higher education credits at advanced level relevant to the subject area, including an advanced level degree project of at least 15 higher education credits, or
• a Master of Science in Engineering in technical physics or a related subject area, or a Master's degree in physics or a related subject area.

Other requirements

To benefit from the current doctoral education, the following are also required:

• good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle scientific problems.
• good ability in written and oral communication
• good teamwork skills
• very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written

Merits

The following are considered merits for the current doctoral education:

• experience in epitaxial growth of semiconductors with extremely wide bandgap
• experience in structural and electrical characterization of epitaxial semiconductors with extremely wide bandgap
• experience with AI methods for materials synthesis
• in-depth knowledge of semiconductor physics
• knowledge of semiconductor materials with ultrawide bandgap

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