PhD Scholarship in Mechanistic Investigation of Transient Build-up of Water-Layer on Electronic Surface and Electrochemical Failures under Low and High Voltage Technical University of Denmark in Denmark

[Salary and employment conditions are based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.]

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship in the Materials and Surface Engineering section, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (DTU Construct). This three-year position focuses on the mechanistic investigation of transient build-up of water layers on electronic surfaces and the resulting electrochemical failures under low and high voltage conditions. The research is part of the CreCon – Industrial Consortium for Climatically Reliable Electronics, providing opportunities for collaboration with major industries in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.

The project aims to systematically study the formation, growth, and morphology of condensed water films on electronic surfaces such as polymer-based Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) and ceramic DBC substrates. The research will explore how these water layers lead to corrosion and electrochemical migration failures, considering factors like surface energy, roughness, and solder mask morphology. The work includes developing condensation models and digital twins to simulate secondary electrochemical processes.

Key responsibilities involve quantifying condensation rates and morphologies on various substrates, investigating the impact of creepage distance, potential bias, and surface characteristics on failure modes, and exploring modifications to solder mask surfaces for enhanced hydrophobicity. The project will also examine the role of gravity in droplet formation and coalescence, especially when PCBAs are arranged vertically or at angles.

Applicants should possess a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or an equivalent qualification in materials science and engineering, corrosion science and engineering, or related fields. Candidates with a background in electronics or electrical engineering and experience in humidity/corrosion reliability of electronics are also encouraged to apply. Prior experience in corrosion of electronics or similar topics is advantageous, and a combination of expertise in electronics, materials, corrosion, and reliability is preferred.

The position offers salary and employment conditions based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The application deadline is January 23, 2026. Interested candidates should read the full job advertisement and apply online via the provided link. For further information, contact Professor Rajan Ambat ([email protected]) or Dr. Kapil Kumar Gupta ([email protected]) at DTU Construct. More details about DTU Construct and DTU can be found at www.Construct.dtu.dk and www.dtu.dk/english.