Hongbo Zhao

Aalborg University is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD position in the development of glass materials for reliable and circular power electronics, supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy grant (GRACE – Glass for Reliable and Circular Power Electronics). The project is based at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience and is supervised by Professor Morten Mattrup Smedskjaer, with co-supervision from Associate Professors Ariya Sangwongwanich and Hongbo Zhao. The research focuses on designing and validating new glass compositions as recyclable, high-reliability substrates for next-generation power electronic circuits, aiming to replace traditional FR4 and ceramic boards. The work involves materials chemistry, electronics packaging, and power electronics, with tasks including material synthesis, characterization, computer simulations, and practical validation in lab settings. The project emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and offers access to advanced computational and experimental facilities. Applicants should have a master's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related field, with experience in glass science, material processing, or atomistic simulations being advantageous. Strong analytical and programming skills, proficiency in English, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are required. The position includes PhD coursework, teaching experience, and an external research stay. The application deadline is February 26, 2026, and applications must be submitted via Aalborg University's recruitment system. For more information, visit the provided links or contact Professor Smedskjaer at [email protected].