PhD scholarship in Humidity Effects on Electronics

Frist 27. april 2021

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity for a PhD, we at Materials and Surface Engineering section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark is seeking a candidate for PhD in the area of “Humidity effects on electronics: test methods and prevention strategies”. Humidity effects on electronics is an important area today due to the wide spread use of electronics such as electrification of vehicles and use in connection with renewable energy system, therefore the PhD position provides opportunity to work in this exciting area in collaboration with major industries.

Responsibilities and qualifications
User environment influence performance of electronic devices due to the corrosion caused by exposure to different climatic conditions and several inherent aspects related to parts such as Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). It is important to replicate real application effects by accelerated testing, however this is a difficult task. The intended PhD project will focus on combination of aspects in connection with corrosion reliability and prevention strategy such as accelerated testing and risk/life time prediction, humidity effects modelling, conformal coating as a protection method etc. The idea is to understand how accelerated testing can be optimized for better capability for real application condition predictions and use of digital twin models, and work how to improve performance of conformal coating by understanding the failure mechanisms.

Work will be in close collaboration with industries in Denmark and Abroad as part of the CreCon industrial consortium on corrosion reliability of electronics at DTU.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Specialization should be in Materials Science and engineering or chemistry or related subjects such as corrosion science and engineering. Prior experience on corrosion of electronics or similar topics is an advantage. Combination of knowledge in electronics, materials, corrosion, and reliability is preferred.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from

Professor Rajan Ambat, Department of Mechanical Engineering, DTU, Phone: +45 4525 2181, e-mail:

ram@mek.dtu.dk.

You can read more about the Department of Mechanical Engineering at www.mek.dtu.dk/english

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 27 April 2021 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
• Research publications or other relevant documents

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Mechanical Engineering covers the fundamental engineering disciplines within Solid mechanics, Fluid mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering, Energy systems and energy conversion, Materials and Surface Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering design and Product development. The department has a scientific staff of about 135 persons, 100 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 80 persons.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,000 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. Our main campus is in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen and we have campuses in Roskilde and Ballerup and in Sisimiut in Greenland.