PhD Fellowship in Design of Integrated Ultra-linear Digital-to-analog Converter

About the position

At the Department of Electronic Systems, we have a vacancy for a PhD candidate with an anticipated start in August 2022, as part of the research project Ultra-linear Digital-to- analogue Conversion (ULDAC) funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.  

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

The project aims to develop methods for digital-to-analog conversion enabling a dynamic range in excess of 1 part-per-million (21 effective number of bits), at high speed and with low latency, using advanced control theory and dithering techniques in combination with the latest CMOS fabrication technologies. This level of performance has never been achieved before and will define the new state-of-the-art in the field.

High-resolution digital-to-analogue conversion and control has a wide array of applications, including adaptive optics, semiconductor lithography, fabrication, and inspection, laser interferometry, metrology (measurement science), imaging and manipulation in microbiology, chemistry, materials science, and scanning probe microscopy in general. Furthermore, methods relating to analogue-digital conversion will have major impact in renewable energy production and distribution, communications technology, and other fields.

The group you will be joining has used dithering techniques to build the highest resolution digital-to-analogue converter known in the literature and will serve as the starting point of the current project. The project is a collaboration between the University of Stavanger, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Justervesenet (Norwegian Metrology Service) and Eindhoven University of Technology, as well as The University of Newcastle, Australia.
The objectives for this position are to investigate integrated circuit architectures for ultra-linear digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and to design and implement prototypes in nanoscale CMOS technologies for verification purposes.

All participants in the ULDAC project bring unique and important qualities with them into the doctoral program. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers in the partner institutions and benefit from these collaborative research and education activities.

As part of the ULDAC project team, you will work alongside other highly motivated and talented PhD candidates and researchers. You will also have access to the knowledge base, state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and impact orientation of the partners in the team.

Required selection criteria

• Education requirements: 5 years of higher education (BSC and MSC) or education equal to (300 ECTS). Must have a strong academic background from your previous studies. The grade requirements are B or higher (based on NTNU’s grading scale). Education will have to be documented by diploma supplement or equivalent documentation in English and include a description of the educational system. International Relations do require Chinese diplomas to be verified using CHSI. The NTNU Office of International Relations will evaluate degrees and diplomas.
• Must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD program in Electronics and Telecommunication . 
• Language skill requirements: The applicants will be asked to provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following certificates may be used as such evidence: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).
• Export of Knowledge Control: The PhD candidates who, based on a comprehensive first-hand assessment, might come into conflict with legislation governing exports of knowledge, technology and services will not advance further from the first stage in the recruitment process. For further information, please refer to the Export Control Act.

In addition, the candidate must have:

• A master’s degree in Microelectronics Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in mixed analog / digital integrated circuit design.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants  and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

Preferred selection criteria:

• Experience within full custom integrated circuit design.
• Experience with professional EDA tools.
• Experience with hardware design at the register transfer level (RTL).
• Strong programming skills

Personal characteristics

• ability to work independently but also in a team,
• commitment and delivery with respect to deadlines.
• communicates with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing.
• learns from experience and feedback from others.
• sees the big picture and takes broader considerations into account.

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 491 200 per annum, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years (with teaching duties). 

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD program in Electronics and Telecommunication  within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English. 

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include: 

• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria, and how participation in the project may advance your competences and qualifications
• CV detailing relevant education and work experience
• Certificates and diplomas
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Project proposal 
• Research plan
• Name and address of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

In accordance with The Public Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Trond Ytterdal, telephone 73594411, email [email protected] . 

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2022/7024 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.04.2022

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electronic Systems

The digitalization of Norway is impossible without electronic systems. We are Norway’s leading academic environment in this field, and contribute with our expertise in areas ranging from nanoelectronics, phototonics, signal processing, radio technology and acoustics to satellite technology and autonomous systems. Knowledge of electronic systems is also vital for addressing important challenges in transport, energy, the environment, and health. The Department of Electronic Systems  is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 10th April 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Trondheim