PhD position: optimisation of processes for the manufacture and characterisation of diamond power devices for the furthering of electrification (M/F)

23 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut NEEL

Research Field

Engineering
Physics
Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

12 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The thesis will be conducted at the Neel Institute (UPR 2940 of the CNRS) in collaboration with CEA Leti in Grenoble. The doctoral candidate will be situated within the wide band gap semiconductors team, renowned for its 30 years of expertise in boron-doped diamond synthesis and fundamental property research. Leveraging the collaborative network of the PEPR FrenchDiam, the candidate will have access to extensive resources for characterizing and validating their developments.
The Institut NEEL, UPR 2940 CNRS, is one of the largest French national research institutes for fundamental research in condensed matter physics enriched by interdisciplinary activities at the interfaces with chemistry, engineering and biology. The laboratory is related to the CNRS Physique. It is located in the heart of a unique scientific, industrial and cultural environment. It is part of one of Europe's biggest high-tech environment in micro- and nanoelectronics, right next to the French Alpes.
The Institut NEEL is a CNRS laboratory. CNRS is a public, scientific and technological organisation.
The core mandate is to identify, carry out ou have carried out, either alone or with partners, all research that advances science or contributes to the country's economic, social, and cultural progress. Internationally recognised for the excellence of its scientific research, the CNRS is a reference in the world of research and development, as well as for the general public.

As part of the priority research programme and equipment (PEPR) in electronics, FrenchDiam is a unique consortium comprised of 8 French research laboratories (5 from the CNRS, 2 from the CEA, and 1 from the INSA). Over the course of 4 years, the consortium is dedicated to exploring the applications of diamond as a material for power electronics. Its goal is to leverage the exceptional properties of diamond to demonstrate the feasibility of two advanced diamond devices: a high-voltage vertical transistor and a monolithic switching cell, aimed at pushing the boundaries of the current state of the art.
FrenchDiam aims to optimize the technological processes necessary to develop a production chain from custom diamond growth to the design and manufacture of power components such as diodes and transistors. Extensive testing will be conducted to validate the performance of these devices and showcase their utility. The project will also prioritize assessing the environmental impact of diamond component production.
The research conducted within FrenchDiam will position France as a frontrunner in diamond technology for power conversion, fostering the development of a new wave of power devices capable of addressing the forthcoming challenge posed by widespread electrification. By doing so, FrenchDiam will not only bolster the domestic diamond industry but also pave the way for the adoption of a strategic roadmap aimed at steering the industry towards the utilization of this groundbreaking material.
The thesis will be an integral part of this process, focusing specifically on the cleanroom fabrication of diamond samples post-growth. The objective is to facilitate advanced electrical characterization of the components. The research will be conducted collaboratively between NEEL and CEA Grenoble. The doctoral candidate will engage in cleanroom techniques at NEEL while working with CEA on dynamic and electrothermal characterization of the components in their finalized state. Particularly, the successful candidate will collaborate with modeling experts to ensure appropriate sizing of the components. Subsequently, conducting electrical measurements such as current-voltage and capacitance-voltage at varying temperatures will be imperative. Additionally, local probe techniques like EBIC (Electron Beam Induced Current) will be considered. Furthermore, comprehensive analysis and a nuanced understanding of the electrical performance of the components will be crucial for enriching the models, which will then inform the development of a roadmap.
Applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in experimental sciences, including material development, physical measurements, and cleanroom micro-fabrication. A strong foundation in various scientific domains such as materials science, experimental physics, and semiconductor physics is essential. Additionally, candidates must exhibit the ability to seamlessly integrate into a multidisciplinary scientific team and possess proficiency in English.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Technology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Technology

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UPR2940-FLOPOI-123/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut NEEL

Country

France

City

GRENOBLE

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UPR2940-FLOPOI-123/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

GRENOBLE

Website

http://neel.cnrs.fr

STATUS: EXPIRED