Science and Engineering : EPSRC iCASE and IQE Funded PhD Scholarship: Next-generation Wide-bandgap Materials and Devices (RS655)

Funding provider(s): EPSRC iCASE and IQE 

Subject area(s): Wide Bandgap Semiconductors, Power Electronics Devices, Advanced Materials 

Project start date: 1 October 2024 

Supervisors: Professor Paul Meredith (Physics), Dr Saptarsi Ghosh (Electronic and Electrical Engineering), Dr Dan Lamb (Materials Science and Engineering), Dr Iwan Davies (IQE) 

Aligned programme of study: Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics, Chemistry 

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: Silicon has traditionally dominated as the semiconductor for power electronics, but its inherent limitations such as narrow bandgap (and thus operating voltage) has led to an increasing focus on next-generation wider bandgap compound semiconductors with superior characteristics. Further development of GaN and SiC (and in the future Ga2O3) power devices will be transformational, enabling revolutionary changes in energy efficiency, reduced size and weight and lower overall system costs - important considerations for Net Zero and the 'electric revolution'. This project will focus on various aspects of the growth and characterisation of these wide bandgap materials and the fabrication of devices and their related performance. For newly-developed and maturing GaN and SiC materials and devices, various analytical techniques will be employed to understand the factors limiting performance to well beyond state-of-the art silicon. For next-generation Ga2O3, epitaxial materials growth via Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) using Swansea’s new state-of-the-art AIXTRON reactor will target the development of an even wider bandgap semiconductor with frontier properties for power electronics. This exciting iCASE PhD project with an enhanced stipend and generous research funds will be undertaken in close collaboration with (and is sponsored by) one of the world’s leading compound semiconductor epitaxy companies (IQE). It will be hosted by and use the extensive fabrication, and material/electrical characterisation facilities of the new Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) – Swansea University’s flagship £55M institute for advanced semiconductor research and development. This is an outstanding opportunity for a physics, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, or chemistry graduate to be part of the semiconductor for net zero revolution. 

This studentship will also be part of an exciting new Doctoral Training Initiative called UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills or UK-SIFS for short. UK-SIFS will create a vibrant, multi-disciplinary cohort experience for all our students and provide highly practical training of substantial value to those interested in careers in the semiconductor and related sectors such as optoelectronics and clean energy. You will also have a chance to work with a large range of industrial partners such as IQE, who will not only deliver training content but also co-supervise research and host secondments. We would particularly welcome appropriately qualified applicants with experience from other industry sectors looking to embark on a new career journey in semiconductors. If you want to undertake cutting edge research in world class facilities closely linked to the rapidly expanding UK semiconductor sector, then UK-SIFS and this PhD project is your opportunity. 

For more information, please visit: advmaterswansea.co.uk

Candidates must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours or overseas bachelor’s degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours, OR a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University)- - see country specific qualifications.

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations. 

Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees, an annual stipend of £19,237 and a £2,500 top-up.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred subject, either -
   :
   Chemistry/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
   OR
   Physics/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
   OR
   Materials Engineering/PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
   OR
   Electronic and Electrical Engineering/PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
   
   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
2. Start year – please select 2024
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter 'RS655 - Materials and Devices’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised closing date, where possible:

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional) 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Rhian Jones (Rhian.C.Jones@swansea.ac.uk)

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.