Rajan Ambat

The Materials and Surface Engineering section at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on the corrosion mechanisms of power semiconductor devices, specifically IGBT and SiC Power MOSFET components and layouts. This research is part of the Center for Climate Robust Electronic Design project, funded by the Poul Due Jensens Foundation, and offers collaboration opportunities with leading industries in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. The project aims to systematically investigate how environmental stressors—such as humidity, temperature, and reactive gases—impact the long-term reliability and performance of high-voltage, high-power semiconductor devices. These stressors can induce corrosion and electrochemical degradation, accelerating failure mechanisms like electrochemical and anodic migration, which are not yet fully understood. The research will utilize experimental testing and advanced characterization techniques to study corrosion effects, focusing on electrochemical interactions, gel substrate degradation, and interfacial transport phenomena. In addition to experimental work, the project will develop advanced simulation models using Multiphysics tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL) to predict moisture and gas transport through gel substrates and interfacial layers within semiconductor packages. The impact of corrosion and moisture ingress on device parameters such as switching losses, efficiency, gate stress, and thermal performance will be quantified. The outcomes will inform material and design guidelines for improved environmental robustness, including optimized Cu pad and gel substrate compositions for IGBTs and enhanced design configurations for SiC-based devices. Applicants should hold a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or equivalent, with specialization in materials science and engineering, corrosion science, 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 PhD position is for three years, with employment terms based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The starting date is expected to be 1 February 2026 or as mutually agreed. The successful candidate will be enrolled in one of DTU's general PhD degree programmes, subject to academic approval. DTU offers a dynamic, international research environment with a commitment to academic excellence, collegial respect, and scientific innovation. For further information, contact Professor Rajan Ambat ([email protected]) or Dr. Kapil Kumar Gupta ([email protected]). More details about the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering can be found at www.construct.dtu.dk . International applicants are welcome and can access resources on working in Denmark and at DTU, including monthly seminars on PhD relocation and startup. To apply, submit your complete online application by 26 November 2025 via the provided application link. All materials must be in English and combined into a single PDF file, including a cover letter, CV, grade transcripts, and diplomas. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. DTU encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or ethnic background.

[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 .

The Materials and Surface Engineering section at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on the investigation of transient build-up of condensed water layers on electronic surfaces, such as Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) and Direct Bonded Copper (DBC) substrates. The research aims to understand how these water layers lead to electrochemical failures under varying voltage biases, with a particular emphasis on corrosion mechanisms and reliability in electronics. This project is part of the CreCon – Industrial Consortium for Climatically Reliable Electronics at DTU, offering collaboration opportunities with major industries in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. The research will systematically study the formation, growth, and morphology of condensed water films on polymer-based and ceramic electronic substrates, quantifying condensation rates and their impact on electrochemical failure modes. Key factors such as surface energy, roughness, solder mask morphology, and hydrophobicity modifications will be investigated. The project also includes the development of secondary electrochemical models as digital twins to simulate and predict failure mechanisms. Applicants should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or equivalent 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 encouraged to apply. Prior experience in corrosion of electronics or similar topics is advantageous. The position requires a combination of expertise in electronics, materials, corrosion, and reliability. DTU is a globally recognized technical university, known for excellence in research, education, and innovation. The university offers a dynamic international environment, with a commitment to academic freedom, collegial respect, and responsibility. The PhD appointment is for three years, with salary and terms based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The starting date is 1 March 2026 or as mutually agreed. For further information, contact Professor Rajan Ambat ([email protected]) or Dr. Kapil Kumar Gupta ([email protected]) at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. More details about the department can be found at www.Construct.dtu.dk . International applicants can access resources on working in Denmark and at DTU, including monthly seminars on PhD relocation and startup. To apply, submit your complete online application by 23 January 2026 via the provided application link. The application should include a cover letter, CV, grade transcripts, and diplomas, all in English, as a single PDF file. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. DTU encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or ethnic background. As DTU works with critical technology, background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates. DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering is dedicated to advancing science and technology for societal benefit and sustainable development, with multidisciplinary research spanning materials science, chemistry, physics, solid mechanics, and manufacturing technology. The university fosters an inclusive and evolving working environment, collaborating globally to address challenges aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.