PhD Opportunity in Nanotechnology, Gas Sensing, and Low-Dimensional Electronics at KIT Karlsruher Institut für Technologie in Germany

PhD Opportunity in Nanotechnology & Gas Sensing at Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

The research group of Professor Ralph Krupke is looking for an exceptionally motivated PhD candidate to work at the intersection of nanofabrication, surface chemistry, and low-dimensional electronics. The project, titled Sensing with MOF-functionalized low-dimensional transistors, builds on recent work in Advanced Materials and Advanced Electronic Materials and focuses on sub-ppb ethanol detection using metal-organic framework (MOF)-functionalized carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs).

Research directions include elucidating the sensing mechanism with in-situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and fiber optics on graphene FETs, developing nanomechanical mass readout using suspended GFET/MOF resonators, integrating on-chip graphene heaters for temperature-controlled sensing, achieving humidity-resistant operation via superhydrophobic MOF coatings, and extending the platform to ambient hydrogen sensing with chirality-selected CNT/Pd Schottky junctions.

The ideal candidate holds an MSc in physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or chemistry. Desired experience includes nanofabrication techniques such as e-beam lithography, ALD, and RIE, low-noise electrical characterization, FTIR or Raman spectroscopy, and/or work with carbon nanomaterials. Strong analytical thinking and Python-based data analysis skills are essential. Prior exposure to nanocarbon FET device physics or MOF chemistry is a plus. C1-level English proficiency or above is required.

This is a funded PhD opportunity. It is not a formal job posting; interested candidates should contact Professor Krupke directly by email and include a short summary of relevant experience plus, if available, a thesis link or relevant publication.

Institution: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Germany.