PHD POSITION IN MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY
EMBEDDED GAS SENSOR FOR WATER ENVIRONMENT
At the Division of Microsystems Technology, Department of Material Sciences and Engineering, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University (halftime) and at International Training Institute for Materials Science, Hanoi university of Science and Technology (halftime)
Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our mission is to pursue top-quality research and education and to interact constructively with society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has 44,000 students, 7,100 employees and a turnover of SEK 7 billion.
The Division of Microsystems Technology (MST) is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. Researchers at MST have extensive experience in the materials science, mechanics and manufacturing of microsystems, making sensors, actuators and microfluidics. Research groups are specialized in soft and stretchable microsystems, high-pressure microfluidics, droplet-based microfluidics, plasma-assisted microfluidics, high-temperature sensors, gas sensors, and organs-on-chip technology. Applications are especially in life sciences, biomedical engineering, robotics and harsh environments.
Likewise, Hanoi university of Science and Technology (HUST, est. 1956) is one of the largest and eminent universities in Vietnam, with 34 300 fulltime students, 1 750 employees and far-reaching international collaboration in both education and research.
The International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS) conducts its research in the field of advanced materials and micro- nanosystem technology. ITIMS was founded in 1992 by the Vietnamese government as a stand along institute that attracted many top profiles among the home-returning researchers from European and Asian universities. ITIMS was then incorporated into HUST. Education and much of the research programs in the beginning followed the programs that existed at the Twente University in collaboration between the two universities. Today, gas sensors using metal oxide semiconducting (MOS) material is a strong research area at ITIMS, with close collaboration with the MST division at Uppsala university for nearly ten years.
Project description: The PhD student will work on a new technology for making embedded MOS gas sensor that can be used in water environment. The scope of application at UU is a part of a European project for autonomous small-scale robotic systems for precision agriculture, especially for aquaponic farming and rice cultivation. Here, we offer an opportunity of international collaborations with world-leading groups in soft and ultraflexibe microsystems and microrobotics, and industrial collaboration with a Swedish company in printed microsystem manufacturing technology.
Work duties: The main duties of doctoral student are to devote him/herself to his/her research studies which includes participating in research projects and doctoral training courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20% of time). The doctoral training will be carried out at MST Division (UU) and at ITIMS (HUST), 50% of total time at each university.
The work tasks in the research project of this PhD position involve developing new, robust micro gas sensors, that are embedded in semipermeable material in order to be used in water and other liquid environments. It includes making new designs and prototypes of gas sensors, deposition the sensing material and embedding them in the semipermeable material, testing and characterising the sensor performance, as well as integration them into the micro soft-robots.
Qualification requirements: MSc in engineering physics, materials science, material engineering, or the corresponding degrees. We require good oral and written proficiency in English.
The applicant should be self-motivated and in collaborative manners proactively develop the research with colleagues both at the divisions and outside. Ideally, we search for a strong background in material science, material engineering, mechanical engineering or robotics; with experience in gas sensors, soft and stretchable electronics, microrobotics, soft robotics with material intelligence, and relevant fabrication technologies. Hands-on experience and an interest in building devices are relevant.
Admission requirements: A person meets the general admission requirements for doctoral training if he or she:
- Has been awarded a MSc qualification, or
- Has fulfilled the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 Swedish credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded on the MSc level, or
- as acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university’s rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/.
Instructions for application:
Your application should include the following:
- Brief personal letter where you briefly describe yourself, why you want to become a PhD student and why you are suitable for the position
- CV/resumé (max 2 pages)
- Certified copies of your Master’s degree and course grades, or equivalent
- Copies (or drafts thereof) of thesis work and other documents, such as publications, which you wish to invoke.
- Name and contact information to two persons who have agreed to act as references for you, and optionally additional letter(s) of recommendation. Your relationship to each of the references should be stated.
Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all genders, sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.
Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
Starting date: Spring 2021 or by agreement.
Type of employment: 48 months temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7, whereof 24 months at UU and 24 months at HUST.
Scope of employment: 50% at UU, 50% at ITIMS
For further information about the position please contact Prof. Klas Hjort, klas.hjort@angstrom.uu.se , or Prof. Hugo Nguyen, hugo.nguyen@angstrom.uu.se.