KTH in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. No less than one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level is provided by KTH. Education and research spans from natural sciences to all branches of engineering and includes architecture, industrial management and urban planning. There are a total of just over 15,000 first and second level students and more than 1,600 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,300 employees.

The School of Electrical Engineering conducts research and education in the fields of electrical engineering, systems engineering, information and communications theory, space and fusion plasma physics, and electrical power engineering. 300 people work in this creative and dynamic environment, of which half are PhD students, many from other countries. Our research projects are carried out in close collaboration with industry partners as well as with research colleagues from Sweden and other countries. The school is responsible for educating civil engineers in electrical engineering and five masters programs which are in great demand and which have a close connection to our main fields.

The research area of micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) is concerned with devices that have dimensions in the micro- and nano-scale and with the technologies to manufacture these types of electro-mechanical structures. Common examples of MEMS and NEMS devices include inertial sensors that are the enabling components of the popular motion controls in gaming consoles and in smart phones. The Microsystem Technology (MST) Lab at KTH is one of the leading MEMS and NEMS research groups in Europe, consisting of more than 25 researchers and students. The research activities at KTH-MST include applied and basic research on MEMS and NEMS devices and technologies. A large part of our research is done in close collaboration with European and Swedish industry. More information about the Microsystem Technology Lab can be found at www.ee.kth.se/mst/ .

The Microsystem Technology Lab at the KTH School of Electrical Engineering invites applications for a PhD student positions in

•                          Micro- and nano-electromechanical systems with focus on developing novel fabrication technologies for 3D micro and nano-structures.

Project Description

As a PhD student in micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) you will develop new technologies for the fabrication of 3D micro- and nano-structures and demonstrate these technologies by implementing innovative MEMS and NEMS devices.

The PhD student will work within a larger and prestigious ERC project that is funded by the European Research Council. The main task for the PhD student is to develop an innovative 3D manufacturing technology for silicon micro- and nano-structures and to implement this technology for functional MEMS and NEMS devices such as nano-electromechanical switches for logic circuits. The projects involve both theoretical and experimental tasks in the areas of nano-technology, material science, semiconductor physics, mechanics and chemistry, as well as cooperation with other scientific disciplines. The experimental work will be conducted in the KTH semiconductor clean-room in Kista. The ERC projects engage several PhD students at KTH-MST and related research activities are conducted in close cooperation with a number of European universities and high-profile industrial partners.

The PhD student position includes up to twenty percent teaching duties for undergraduate level. The salary is based on the existing employment agreement for PhD positions at the School of Electrical Engineering.

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria

The potential candidate must have a master’s degree in Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a corresponding degree. A specialization in micro- and nano-engineering is an asset.

The candidates should have a proven track-record with excellent grades and very good skills in oral and written communication. Candidates are expected to be highly motivated for doing scientific research and they must have well-developed analytical and problem solving skills as well as an interest and curiosity for the possibilities and applications that micro- and nano-system technologies provide.

Application

The application must include the following documents:

1. CV (maximum 2 pages) including education and relevant academic and work experience.
2. Cover letter (maximum 1 page).
3. Official record of transcripts and copy of degree certificate.
4. Three references.

The above described documents should be attached as word or pdf files.

Employers reference number: E-2012-0046

Applications should be sent by email to: 0046@ee.kth.se

Please indicate our reference number E-2012-0046 in the e-mail subject field.

Application deadline: 2012-02-23

Contact

Frank Niklaus, Associate Prof. (Lektor)
Phone: +46 8 790 9332

Union representative

Lars Abrahamsson, SACO
Phone: +46 8 790 7058
lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se