Faculty of Technology and Maritime Sciences, Department of Micro and nano Systems Technology/IMST

100% position Ref. nr.14/31-01233
The Faculty of Technology and Maritime Sciences at Vestfold University College is seeking applicants for a 3 year PhD Project on RF Filter implementation using High Q Film Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonator. The project will collaborate with Kongsberg Norspace.
Background
Film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) membrane consists of a piezoelectric layer (AlN) sandwiched between the top and bottom electrodes. When an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes of a FBAR, electroacoustic waves are excited in the piezoelectric material. Resonance is obtained by an acoustic wave which propagates in the direction that is perpendicular to the electrode surfaces. However, there are also acoustic wave modes which propagate in the direction parallel to the surface of the electrodes. This lateral waves cause energy loss and generate spurious effects. The spurious modes deteriorate the electrical response of the resonator and can reduce the Q value both at the series and parallel resonance.
Despite of the maturity of FBAR technology after more than 30 years of research and development, there is still room to improve the-state-of-the-art of FBAR technology with respect to performance and processing technology. Typical resonance frequency of FBAR ranges from 1 GHz to 10 GHz and even higher. This makes it meet the demand for various radio frequency (RF) systems, e.g. mobile telecommunication, satellite communication and other wireless systems. One application of FBAR in such systems is the filter application. The band-pass RF filter can be achieved by utilizing various filter configurations, such as ladder, stacked, balanced bridge, lattice or similar topology.
Project work
The project will focus on designing, implementing and characterizing wideband low insertion loss filter operating at S and C bands respectively based on high Q FBAR. The filter is going to be designed by combining balanced bridge and lattice type topologies. To achieve the high Q FBAR, suppression of spurious modes has to be investigated. The modelling of lateral modes investigating electrode edge optimization by implementing Acoustic Bragg mirror placed onto the edge of the top electrode of an AlN–based FBAR structure will be performed. Simulations of filter performance will be done in collaboration with Kongsberg Norspace AS. The devices will be produced using the NorFab consortium (www.norfab.no), whereas AlN films will be deposited outside Norway.
Qualifications
A Masters’ degree in Physics, Microwave Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Microsystems Engineering (average grade B or better). The Master’s thesis must be grade B or better.
Personal skills
Independent researcher with strong communication skills and analytical capabilities capable of working in a multidisciplinary research environment. Prior experience with some of the above mentioned modelling, measurement, fabrication and characterization tools will be an advantage.
Salary conditions
Doctoral research fellow, code 1017, salary grade 50
Doctoral research fellow, code 1378, salary grade 51 – 61
(according to qualifications)
For further information please contact:
Professor Ulrik Hanke, phone number: (+47) 3303 1157, e-mail: Ulrik.Hanke@hbv.no
General information
The fellowship provides research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The fellowship requires admission to the academic research programme in Applied Micro and Nano Engineering at Buskerud and Vestfold University College. An approved plan for the academic program must be submitted no later than two months after the starting date. The admission to the program must be approved within three months. The position is available for a period of 3 – three – years. Vestfold University College has an agreement for all PhD candidates, aiming to secure rights to research results.
The candidates will be offered a one semester stay at a collaborating university abroad, if possible and applicable within the project.
The PhD student will be employed as "stipendiat" in accordance with Norwegian rules and regulations for the position: "Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat" dated 31 January 2006, and to the laws, rules and regulations that apply at any time. Membership in the Norwegian State pension scheme is mandatory by law.
Application
Applications must be submitted electronically on: www.hbv.no/stilling
Normally, applications with attachments should only be submitted electronically at www.hbv.no/stilling with an upper limit of 2 MB's per attachment. Under exceptional circumstances the application with attachments (on memory stick – 3 ex in PDF format) and large bound publications can be sent by standard mail to: Buskerud and Vestfold University College, PO Box 4, 3199 Borre, Norway – referencing the electronic application: 14/31-01233
Evaluation of the applicants
The applicants will be evaluated by a board of academic peers.
The applications must include:
- Cover letter quoting the reference number of the advertisement, and stating why the applicant has an interest in this position
- CV, summarizing education, positions and other qualifying activity
- Certified copies of educational certificates, letters of recommendation and a list of reference persons containing at least two academic references (name, position, e-mail and telephone number)
- A complete list of publications (if any), and a summary of the importance of these works
- Documentation of the grades obtained both at Bachelor and Master level.
Additional information
State employees should as far as possible reflect the diversity of the population. It is therefore a goal that employees are of different ages and gender, and one aims at recruiting persons with an immigration background. Buskerud and Vestfold University College follows a policy of moderate allocation by gender quota. In case of comparably equal qualifications the minority gender at the faculty will be preferred. Women are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for application: 25.04.2014