PhD in Humidity Diffusion Characterization for Power Electronics Materials and Components Mitsubishi Electric R&D Centre Europe in France

PhD opportunity at Mitsubishi Electric R&D Centre Europe (MERCE) in France, in collaboration with IMS Laboratory in Bordeaux, on humidity diffusion characterization for power electronics materials and components.

The project sits at the interface of electrical engineering, materials science, physics, and modelling. The research focuses on epoxy-encapsulated power modules, moisture uptake, diffusion kinetics, and reliability/lifetime prediction for industrial power semiconductor packages.

The thesis aims to develop an innovative tool to quickly characterize humidity diffusion in epoxy encapsulated components. The work combines experimental methods and modelling approaches, including measurement planning, compact diffusion/equivalent circuit modelling, temperature-humidity coupling, and experimental validation on power module packages.

Supervision is shared between MERCE and IMS Laboratory. Supervisors named in the post include Pierre-Yves Pichon (MERCE), Loïc Theolier, and Alexandrine Guédon-Gracia (IMS Laboratory). The student will be employed by MERCE, with the main location in Bordeaux and business trips to Rennes paid by the company.

Eligibility highlights: master’s degree or higher in power electronics, strong interest in material science and modelling, ability to work with experimental analysis and literature-based model selection, and good English spoken/written skills.

Funding: 3-year PhD researcher position, with the student employed by MERCE. The post does not mention a stipend amount, but it does state that the student will be a company employee and that travel to Rennes is covered.

Application: send an application letter and CV mentioning reference HMTFT057. Contact Magali Branchereau or Pierre-Yves Pichon by email for further information.