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PhD Position within Vibration-Based Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting Systems

Employer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU
Location
Gløshaugen, Norway
Closing date
15 Mar 2020

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD-position at the Department of Electronic Systems (IES) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The position will be within the area “Vibration-based Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting Systems”.

The evolution of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) underpins the Internet of Things (IoT). The potential of such a wirelessly-connected world spans a wide range of applications including transportation, home automation, healthcare, smart environments and many more. Although the performance of WSNs is both pervasive and self-organizing, widespread deployment of sensor nodes for wireless communication is restricted by the lack of alternative energy sources to power continuous operation of the sensor nodes. Electromagnetic-mechanical energy harvesting (EM-MEH) based on Faraday’s law of induction is a smart method of generating electrical energy from the mechanical energy of ambient vibration sources. The project focuses on the development of highly efficient, miniaturized, integrated, wideband micro-power energy harvesters fabricated using CMOS/MEMS processing technology.

The project is a collaborative project between Department of Electronic Systems, NTNU and Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD). As part of the project, bilateral research visits in short/long term (2-4 weeks) between NTNU and IITD are expected.

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

  • Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) design of low frequency, wideband EM-MEH prototypes and FEM study of such devices
  • Numerical and equivalent circuit modelling of the harvesting system and parameter optimizations
  • Development of a low-power, high-efficiency power management IC, including an integrated energy storage unit, for electromagnetic  energy harvesters with low output voltage
  • Device and system level testing/validation

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in physics, electronics, MEMS, materials science or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Other qualifications:

  • Strong background in physics, microelectronics, electronics systems, MEMS, materials science or related disciplines 
  • Experience with programming languages (Matlab/Phyton), SPICE/FEM simulation (LTSpice/Simulink, COMSOL) and data acquisition systems (LabView)
  • Experience with mixed-signal ASIC design
  • Experimental work in laboratory and clean room
  • Good written and oral English language skills

Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language should provide evidence of good written and oral English language skills. The following tests can be used as documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Personal characteristics

The successful candidate: 

  • can take responsibility for progress and can work independently
  • should be creative and self-motivated
  • should possess good skills to deliver oral and written presentations of research results
  • has good communication skills and is able to cooperate with other scientists in the collaborating project

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement. 

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years with possible extension to a total of 4 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Electronics and Telecommunications. As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number 2020/6035 when applying. 

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Cuong Phu Le, cuong.le@ntnu.no /Professor Snorre Aunet, snorre.aunet@ntnu.no.  

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number 2020/6035 when applying.

Application deadline: 15.03.2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electronic Systems

The digitalization of Norway is impossible without electronic systems. We are Norway’s leading academic environment in this field, and contribute with our expertise in areas ranging from nanoelectronics, phototonics, signal processing, radio technology and acoustics to satellite technology and autonomous systems. Knowledge of electronic systems is also vital for addressing important challenges in transport, energy, the environment, and health. The Department of Electronic Systems is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 15th March 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen

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