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 14,000 first and second level students and more than 1,700 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,600 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. 380 people work in this creative and dynamic environment, out of which half are Ph.D. students, many from outside Sweden. Our research projects are carried out in close collaboration with industry partners as well as with research colleagues within and outside Sweden. The school is responsible for educating electrical engineers and offers six masters programs, which are in great demand.

The research area of micro and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS / NEMS) deals with research on devices that have dimensions in the micro and nanoscale, and on the technologies to fabricate such devices. A well-known example of MEMS/NEMS is the inertial sensors that enable the popular motion controls in gaming consoles and smart phones. The Department of Micro and Nanosystems (MST) at KTH is among the leading research groups in Europe and consists of more than 35 researchers and students. Research at KTH-MST includes both applied and fundamental studies of MEMS and NEMS devices, and is done in close collaboration with Swedish and European industries. Application areas include: communications, biomedicine, environmental monitoring, and the automotive industry. More information about the Department of Micro and Nanosystems can be found at www.ee.kth.se/mst/.

Project descriptions

We are seeking applicants who have a desire to conduct cutting-edge research within the areas of Biomedical MEMS, Heterogeneous Integration of MEMS and CMOS technology, RF-MEMS, Microfluidics, Optics, Sensors, Actuators, Photonics, (Wafer-level) 3D Packaging and Nanotechnology. Within specific projects, your task is to develop next-generation MEMS/NEMS devices with dramatically improved or entirely novel functionalities.

As a Ph.D. student in micro and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS / NEMS) you will be part of an interdisciplinary research team that consists of members with different professional and cultural backgrounds. All projects involve both theoretical and experimental tasks as well as cooperation with other scientific disciplines. Experimental work will be conducted in the KTH semiconductor cleanroom in Stockholm-Kista. All projects engage several fellow Ph.D. students at KTH-MST and are supervised by at least two senior researchers. Projects are typically conducted in close cooperation with high-profile industrial partners and other European universities.

Examples of open PhD student positions within specific projects include, but are not limited to:

• 3D integration and packaging approaches for inertial sensors used in harsh environment scenarios in space applications:
  As a part of the project WOV – Working on Venus, your task is to develop methods for 3D-interconnection and packaging of MEMS-based sensors and electronics. The overall goal of this project is to demonstrate all electronics needed for a planetary lander module. This system consists of sensors and digital/analog circuits that must withstand hostile environments such as on planet Venus (e.g. surface temperature of 460 °C). The project is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. For more information see www.workingonvenus.se.

• Biomedical MEMS and development of painless continuous glucose monitoring: 
  The task is to develop a new continuous glucose monitoring technology, based on painless MEMS microneedles and glucose sensor technology, which would be less intrusive, less painful and more accurate over time to enable next generation diabetes care. The overall goal is to enable a closed-loop system with a patch-based pump or an open-loop system with a pen injector. In all cases, the glucose monitoring system would be directly integrated into the patch pump or the pen, to make it the ultimate diabetes therapy management device.

Qualifications and eligibility

The successful applicant is expected to hold or to be about to receive an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a corresponding degree. A specialization in micro and nano-engineering/technology or applied electrochemistry is an asset.

Excellent command of English orally and in writing is required to publish and present scientific results at international conferences and in international journals. The candidate should have an outstanding academic track record and the ability to interact effectively with other Ph.D. student fellows as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The candidate should be highly motivated for doing scientific research and should have well developed analytical and problem solving skills as well as an interest and curiosity for the possibilities and applications that micro and nanosystem technologies provide. We are looking for strongly motivated persons, who are able to work independently.

The evaluation will be based on how well the applicant fulfills the above qualifications.

Employment

Form of employment: Time limited, following the regulations for PhD employment in the Higher Education Ordinance (~ 5 years when 80% studies and 20% department service, including teaching at undergraduate level)
Start date: According to agreement, preferably as soon as possible
Salary: Follows KTHs PhD student salary agreement

Application

The application must include:

1. Full curriculum vitae including your relevant academic, professional, and other experience and knowledge.
2. Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions, with translations in English (unless provided so by the issuing institution)
3. Statement of purpose: Why the applicant wants to pursue a PhD, what are your academic interests, how they relate to your previous studies and future goals; maximum 2 pages long.
4. Representative publications or technical reports: Up to 2 documents, no longer than 10 pages each. For longer documents (e.g. theses), please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.
5. Letters of recommendation or contact information for two reference persons

Deadline for application is 2014-01-07
Please write the reference number E-2013-0791 and your name on the subject line of the email; no other subject info is needed.

Applications via e-mail are to be sent to 0791@ee.kth.se.

The documents shall be sent as one PDF attachment. Please do not send any compressed files.

Contact

Queries concerning the project content can be directed to:

Prof. Frank Niklaus
Email:  frank.niklaus@ee.kth.se

Prof. Göran Stemme
Email:  goran.stemme@ee.kth.se

Queries concerning the recruitment and the hiring conditions can be directed to

Irina Radulescu, EE HR-manager
Phone: +46(0)8 790 6321
Email:   irinar@kth.se

Trade union representative

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