PhD Position POLARIS Materials NL, CD

Getting the heat out of highly integrated electrical systems.

Thermal management in highly integrated systems like high-performance computing and communication arrays is a major challenge in the electronics industry. When device temperatures increase, lifetimes are reduced and thermal throttling can reduce performance. In highly integrated systems, the volume of material that can transport heat is reduced, requiring innovations for effective heat management. Improving the materials used is one method; nanomaterials are of interest as they can potentially outperform bulk materials.

In this project at the Faculty of EEMCS, part of the POLARIS growth fund, you will investigate innovative nanomaterial solutions for thermal management. The material can be applied as a thermal interface material or by enabling other heat dissipation pathways. As part of the research you will synthesize the materials in the EKL cleanroom, create test structures, and validate their thermal performance and other relevant material properties.

The research will take place in the Electronic Components, Technology and Materials section of the Microelectronics Department. Within the consortium, other academic, research, and industrial partners are present, providing opportunities for collaboration.

You hold a MSc in electrical engineering, materials science, applied physics or other relevant fields. Prior experience in cleanroom processing and/or thermal or material analysis is highly recommended.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, in the form of two contracts: an initial 1.5‑year contract with a progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming performance requirements are met.

The salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, ranging from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month from the first year to the fourth year based on a full‑time contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3%. Additional benefits include a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, a monthly work‑costs contribution, and flexible work schedules.

TU Delft is committed to making relocation smooth. The HR unit offers information and events to help you prepare for and settle into the Netherlands, and supports partners through a dual career programme.

All financial information is subject to change and should be verified with the HR department.