Ralph Krupke

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.