Postdoctoral Research Associate in Thermal/design analysis in Ultra-High Power Wide Bandgap Semiconductor RF Devices

Applications are invited for the role of Postdoctoral Researcher in the Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability (CDTR), to contribute to the advancement of ultra-high power GaN RF devices, by studying and designing new material and device structures, using simulation tools, and to experimentally study the thermal properties of materials and devices made, and how electric fields can be shaped in devices using novel device architectures. 

Device performance, in particular the maximum power density, is often limited by heat extraction. Commercial devices operate at 5-10 W/mm, however there is need for next generation devices that allow 80-100 W/mm, a dramatical increase in power density. This requires radically improving heat extraction from GaN devices through integration with high thermal conductivity materials such as diamond, but also developing other advanced device concepts. You will have the opportunity to study unique device structures, to apply new thermal imaging techniques for nm-scale devices, and to access the extensive device testing suite available in Bristol, from advanced electrical, thermal to electric field analysis of devices, and simulation tools (ATLAS, ANSYS), and collaborate within our 20-member team as well as with our industrial partners. The CDTR leads numerous UK and international strategic programmes on power and RF electronics, including the EPSRC programme grant ULTRAlGaN on developing vertical solid state circuit breakers using high composition AlGaN materials, and the Innovation and Knowledge Centre REWIRE, focusing on GaN, Gallium Oxide, SiC and diamond power materials and devices, from their fundamental understanding and development, to the commercialization of device technology in part co-designed with industry, a strategic investment of the UK funding agency UKRI in excess of £18M into the CDTR in Bristol. This position benefits from the Chair in Emerging Technologies awarded to Professor Kuball, Director of the CDTR, by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in 2020, and various US funded programmes the CDTR is partnered in. This research position will give you the opportunity to make a major impact on future RF and power device technology.

Applicants should have postgraduate (PhD) experience in Physics, Materials Science or Engineering, with a good publication record. The position requires extensive expertise in optical measurement techniques, a good understanding of device physics and device processing, as well as an interest in device simulations. A willingness to work together with, and co-supervise, PhD students of the CDTR will be necessary.

For informal queries, contact details: Professor M. Kuball, [email protected] , tel +44(0)117 928 8734.

This advert will close at 23:59 on 02/04/2024. Interviews are anticipated to take place on 18/04/2024.

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Applications are invited for the role of Postdoctoral Researcher in the Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability (CDTR), to contribute to the advancement of ultra-high power GaN RF devices, by studying and designing new material and device structures, using simulation tools, and to experimentally study the thermal properties of materials and devices made, and how electric fields can be shaped in devices using novel device architectures. 

Device performance, in particular the maximum power density, is often limited by heat extraction. Commercial devices operate at 5-10 W/mm, however there is need for next generation devices that allow 80-100 W/mm, a dramatical increase in power density. This requires radically improving heat extraction from GaN devices through integration with high thermal conductivity materials such as diamond, but also developing other advanced device concepts. You will have the opportunity to study unique device structures, to apply new thermal imaging techniques for nm-scale devices, and to access the extensive device testing suite available in Bristol, from advanced electrical, thermal to electric field analysis of devices, and simulation tools (ATLAS, ANSYS), and collaborate within our 20-member team as well as with our industrial partners. The CDTR leads numerous UK and international strategic programmes on power and RF electronics, including the EPSRC programme grant ULTRAlGaN on developing vertical solid state circuit breakers using high composition AlGaN materials, and the Innovation and Knowledge Centre REWIRE, focusing on GaN, Gallium Oxide, SiC and diamond power materials and devices, from their fundamental understanding and development, to the commercialization of device technology in part co-designed with industry, a strategic investment of the UK funding agency UKRI in excess of £18M into the CDTR in Bristol. This position benefits from the Chair in Emerging Technologies awarded to Professor Kuball, Director of the CDTR, by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in 2020, and various US funded programmes the CDTR is partnered in. This research position will give you the opportunity to make a major impact on future RF and power device technology.

Applicants should have postgraduate (PhD) experience in Physics, Materials Science or Engineering, with a good publication record. The position requires extensive expertise in optical measurement techniques, a good understanding of device physics and device processing, as well as an interest in device simulations. A willingness to work together with, and co-supervise, PhD students of the CDTR will be necessary.

For informal queries, contact details: Professor M. Kuball, [email protected] , tel +44(0)117 928 8734.

This advert will close at 23:59 on 02/04/2024. Interviews are anticipated to take place on 18/04/2024.

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.