PhD scholarship in Selective Epitaxy of III-V/Si Nanostructures for Photonic Applications – DTU Electro

Are you curious about bringing light to the Si platform? The Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is seeking an outstanding candidate for a PhD position within the Alliance PhD program between DTU and École Polytechnique, France. Your project will focus on fundamental research in the area of material science and combines experimental and theoretical studies. The main research focus is the development of epitaxial methods for direct growth of III-V semiconductors on Si [1,2], fabrication of nano-photonic devices and advanced characterization method with transmission electron microscopy. Combining “electron sized” (nanoscale) active material with “photon sized” (micron scale) electrical connections in the same growth process is key to realizing ultraefficient low loss emitters for future computing systems [3]. In collaboration with Ecole Polytechnique, Laboratoire des Solides Irradiés you will work on ab initio calculations using density functional theory to understand the III-V/Si material system and resulting device properties.

The PhD project is associated with the Danish National Research Center for Nanophotonics (NanoPhoton), dedicated to exploring new possibilities for Extreme Dielectric Confinement (EDC) of light in semiconductors to length scales much smaller than the diffraction limit as well as their integration with transistors. NanoPhoton addresses several research disciplines and is a collaboration between a several departments at DTU. You will be co-supervised from both institutions at DTU and École Polytechnique and spend 6 months in École Polytechnique to learn and apply ab initio density functional theory.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a PhD student, you will be working closely with other members of the NanoPhoton team and will be responsible for the development of a defect-free epitaxial technique of III-V compound semiconductors on Si. More specifically, this will include:

• Developing and applying new methods within metal-organic vapor epitaxy of defect-free III-V semiconductors on Si 
• Nanofabrication, in particular the realization of a 3D mask for template-assisted epitaxy
• Theoretical and experimental investigation of nucleation processes of III-V on Si surfaces and subsequent epitaxial growth
• Theoretical and experimental investigation of III-V/Si hetero-interfaces and their impact on carrier dynamics 
• Characterization of epitaxial material using XRD, PL, SEM, and AFM
• Fabrication and characterization of photo-electronic devices from the grown epi-material in collaboration with other members of the NanoPhoton center.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

We are looking for a PhD student with strong background in condensed matter physics, who has excelled in their studies and is now interested in working at the forefront of a new research field. Experience in ab initio calculations / epitaxy /nanofabrication is an advantage, and good skills in written and spoken English are mandatory.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Elizaveta Semenova, Prof. Kresten Yvind, Dr. Jelena Sjakste and. Prof. Jesper Mørk.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Elizaveta Semenova [email protected] . 

You can read more about NanoPhoton at https://nanophoton.dtu.dk/  and DTU Electro at https://electro.dtu.dk/ .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 July 2023 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The research vision of NanoPhoton - Center for Nanophotonics – is to explore the hitherto inaccessible regime of extreme dielectric confinement of light in optical cavities and to apply the associated enhanced light-matter interaction to solve fundamental outstanding challenges in chipscale information technology

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.