PhD Student Nanolaminates for Photonics, Quantum & Medical Technology

The Fraunhofer Society is one of the world's leading organisations for application-oriented research. 75 institutes develop groundbreaking technologies for our economy and society – more precisely: 32 000 people from technology, science, administration and IT. You know, who comes to Fraunhofer wants and can change something. For yourself, for us and the markets of today and tomorrow. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS we develop new material systems for biomedical sensors, implants and photonic quantum technologies. One of our most innovative technologies is the so-called nanolaminates produced by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Individual atomic layers of different materials are connected to a few nanometers of thin stacks. The resulting nanolaminates have some new and complex physical properties, which enables highly innovative applications. As part of your doctoral thesis, new nanolaminates are to be developed, produced and analyzed. For this purpose, various material combinations are to be tested and measured in order to subsequently compare and evaluate the properties of the nanolaminates. Target applications include ultra-thin implant encapsulations that can give the component defined properties such as hermeticity, controlled resorption or sensory functionality, without significantly increasing the size of the implant and thus the required space in the body. In scalable quantum systems, the nanolaminates can also be used to produce nonlinear effects that are required for efficient photonic systems.

First of all, focus on the current state of science and develop the theoretical foundations. You identify the latest trends in the fields of ALD materials and nanolaminates, thus finding points of contact for exciting research. Building on this, you develop processes for the deposition of ultra-thin materials in the in-house clean room and gradually optimize the process parameters (e.g. pulse duration, temperature, pressure) to achieve homogeneous and reproducible results. The layers and layer stacks produced are characterized by various measurement techniques (electron microscopy, ellipsometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning force microscopy, interferometry, etc.) as well as by self-concepting measurement sites adapted to the target application in our own wafer test, optics and biolaborators. The results can subsequently be compared with analytical and simulation calculations and evaluated by means of suitable software (e.g. Python, Origin Pro) in order to be able to understand and optimize material and process properties. You support the acquisition of new projects by building a partner network by visiting conferences and assist in writing research applications. You will publish the results of your work as scientific publications and present them at international conferences and in the project meetings with external partners. In addition, you will supervise student and scientific assistants as well as bachelor and master thesis.

Minimum qualifications: Very well completed studies (Master/Uni-Diplom) in the field of physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, microsystem technology or a comparable subject Knowledge and practical experience in semiconductor technology processes First practical experience in a clean room environment: knowledge of basic behavior in the clean room, wafer handling and process implementation Due to the interdisciplinary orientation of our group, the targeted work in the team is one of your strengths. In addition, you will bring an independent operation. Very good knowledge of German and English in word and writing Required qualifications: First practical experience with atomic layer deposition (ALD) and further processes in the clean room (lithography, gas phase deposition, etching) First visits to conferences or first publications published

Doctorate in an application-oriented topic within 3 years. You can access all the institute's own clean rooms and laboratories for your practical work. Teaching obligations will not be transferred to you. The doctoral degree is awarded by the University of Duisburg-Essen. In addition to the support of an institute-internal specialist, a regular, organized exchange of the scientific state of your work takes place within the framework of a doctorate/Father Body. During the promotion period, you will be supported by accompanying offers. For example, you can benefit from regular doctoral student coaching and learn to safely apply professional methods of project management during your doctorate and to support the project acquisition. In the event of a timely submission of the dissertation, there is the option of further deepening or changing the research work into other areas within the framework of a connection agreement. The full-time post as a doctoral student with half-remuneration provides 50% of the time for your doctoral degree and 50% for cooperation in research projects as a scientific assistant. One of the largest cleanrooms in the German research landscape, in which we carry out our research on a complete CMOS process technology as well as special equipment for microsystems technology at industrial level. Here you will find a variety of state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facilities that meet industrial standards. We are a young, motivated, growing and interdisciplinary team with different expertise, from scientists to ALD experts to medical technicians and engineers. Creative ideas and impulses are explicitly desired with us. Flexible working hours (running time with integrated core working time from 9:30 to 15:00, Friday from 9:30 to 13:00) and mobile work on up to two days a week for better reconciliation of work and private life Occupational pension (VBL) and grant to the Deutschland-Ticket Job Very good transport connection with public transport/car as well as free parking in our underground garage and lockable bicycle parking for employees Family and Occupational Compatibility Support: Mit-Kind-Office, Kindernotpflege und Beratungs zu Homecare-Eldercare etc. in cooperation with the pme family service Corporate Benefits: Benefits Offers from renowned manufacturers and brands