KTH School of Information and Communication Technology seeks a PhD student in “Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials for Photonic Applications”

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 12,600 first and second level students and more than 1,800 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,800 employees.

The school of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, conducts research and education at leading international level in material physics, photonics/optics, electronic systems, integrated devices and circuits, as well as communication systems. Our research activity encompasses both basic and applied level. We offer a wide spectrum of educational programs at undergraduate, masters and doctoral level. The ICT School fosters close collaboration with Swedish and international companies and research institutes as well as surrounding associations such as Kista Science City

Description of the position

Nano-structured semiconductor materials are attractive for their specific optical properties, and have a wide range of applications ranging from optical communications, sensing, light generation and light harvesting. An example is that of periodic nano-structured dielectric media (photonic crystals) for applications in the optical wavelengths. Similarly aggregates, random or periodic, of nanowires/columns have interesting optical properties for optical sources, detectors, and solar cells. Hybrids of semiconductor nanostructures may have added advantage to these devices by combining material specific properties.

The main project goal is to develop state-of-the-art semiconductor nanostructured materials and apply their unique optical and material properties for new or improved functionalities in photonic components. The research work will involve fabrication, simulation and modeling of the behavior of light in nanostructured (periodic and random) media, electrical and optical characterization of the structures and components. The research emphasis will be on harnessing light-matter interaction for enabling functions such as absorption, gain and tuning. Development of new technologies for combining different semiconductor nanomaterials will be an integral part of the research effort.

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria

Applicants must hold or be about to receive an MSc degree in optics, photonics, applied physics, nanotechnology, electrical engineering, or related areas. Furthermore, the applicant must have:

• Strong academic credentials, written and spoken English proficiency, communication and team-work skills.
• Background in several of the following subjects: optics/photonics, nanotechnology, electromagnetism, photonic components, semiconductor physics, quantum mechanics, semiconductor devices –electronic and opto-electronic, scientific programming languages such as matlab/mathematica
• Experience in one or more of the following – optoelectronics, optical spectroscopy techniques, photonic components, photonic crystals, will be considered as an advantage.

Employment

Form of employment: Time limited, in line with the regulations for PhD employment in the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen)

Start: According to the agreement

The salary: Follows “KTH:s student salary agreement”

Application

The application must include the following documents:

• Cover letter: a one-page summary of your application.
• Curriculum vitae: a document of up to four (4) pages, including all your relevant academic, professional and other achievements, and experience.
• An official copy of the MSc (or equivalent) degree certificate and academic transcript. For applicants in the process of obtaining the MSc (or equivalent) degree, they must state with supporting document the expected date of degree completion.
• Recommendation letters: Please arrange for at least two (2) recommendation letters to be received by the application deadline (as per the application submission instructions below). Please include detailed contact information for at least two (2) references (including the two you arranged for).
• Statement of purpose: Please state why you wish to pursue a doctoral degree in these research topics,giving an account of your academic interests and your background. Maximum two (2) pages long.
• Representative publications or technical reports: Please provide, if any, up to maximum two (2) documents, no longer than ten (10) pages each. For longer documents (e.g., project theses), please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Deadline for application is 2013-10-15.
Please write the reference number I-2013-0748 in the subject line of your application.

Applications via e-mail are to be sent to  registrator@ict.kth.se
The documents shall be sent as PDF attachments if the application is sent in electronically Please do not send any compressed files.

We also accept applications via ordinary post sent to:

KTH, ICT Registrator
Electrum 229
S-164 40 Kista, Sweden

Contact

For more information about the position, please contact

Srinivasan Anand, Associate Professor
Phone: +46 (0)8 7904382
Email: anand@kth.se

Gun Hjertsson, HR Manager
Phone: + 46 (0)8 7904411
Email: gun@kth.se

Union representative

Lars Abrahamsson, SACO
Phone: +46 (0)8 790 7058
Email: lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se