Position Summary
Position:
Department:
Institute:
The Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ)
Country:
Germany
Research Field:
Semiconductor electronics, physics, chemistry, crystallography, materials science, solid-state physics
Posted Date:
Jan 06, 2026
Deadline:
open until filled
Offer Period:
3 + 1 Years
Offer Start Date:
ASAP
In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of modulation-doped β-(AlxGa1-x)2O3/Ga2O3 heterostructures with high electron mobility for highly efficient power transistors
Description:
The Leibniz-Institut für Kritallzüchtung is currently looking for a PhD Student for the BMBF NanoMatFutur funded project “All-GO-HEMT” with the topic: In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of modulation-doped β-(AlxGa1-x)2O3/Ga2O3 heterostructures with high electron mobility for highly efficient power transistors.
- Semiconductor-based power electronics is a key technology for solving the greatest challenge facing society - sustainable energy generation. In addition to the conversion of energy generation to renewable and decentralized sources, the efficient use of energy is the most important lever for achieving sustainability goals in the energy sector. More efficient power electronics not only help to reduce harmful emissions through more efficient use of energy, but also increase the cost-effectiveness of energy-intensive processes. Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is currently the subject of intensive research and development activities in the field of semiconductor power electronics. With its ultra-wide band gap, it enables an even more compact design and is therefore ideal for applications in power electronics. Even though power electronics based on Ga2O3 promise to be more efficient, the material is inferior to established materials in terms of charge carrier mobility. The central goal of the project is to overcome the material limitation of Ga2O3 in terms of charge carrier mobility with the help of the innovative design of an aluminum-alloyed heterostructure and thus eliminate this disadvantage. Our research group is widely recognized as one of the leading teams in this field, and this position will provide you with a unique platform to make significant contributions to the scientific community of oxides for power electronics. As part of the All-GO-HEMT project, we are ultimately going to create a material basis for aluminum-alloyed gallium oxide-based high electron mobility transistors.
- As a PhD student, you will contribute to the project by the structural investigation and analysis of bulk crystals, epitaxial layers and devices. The focus here is on in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the determination of internal electric fields and, above all, the evaluation of interface quality. By doing so, we aim to provide valuable insights to material growth and device fabrication to improve the efficiency. The selected student will mainly work with the newly installed Thermo Fisher Helios Hydra UX dual beam and state of the art TEM Thermo Fisher Spectra Ultra with Thermo Fisher Illiad EELS sys-tem in IKZ’s Application Lab for In Situ Electron Microscopy (ALISE). Do application focused material research with the aim to make energy conversion more efficient and make your contribution to meeting the EU CO2 Net-Zero targets! All-GO-HEMT, do you go, too?
The key responsibilities of the PhD student will include:
- Optimizing the workflow on sample preparation via focused ion beam
- In-situ TEM characterization including investigations of the structural/interface quality, chemical composition, phase homogeneity, band alignment and internal electric field
- Foster strong collaborations with scientists from epitaxial growth and electrical characterization to promote interdisciplinary research
- Develop an international reputation and broaden your experience and skills to prepare for your future career inside or outside academia on the one hand and to strengthen the experimental expertise of IKZ on the other
Required Qualification:
Essential Qualification:
- A master’s degree and strong knowledge in physics, chemistry, crystallography, materials science, or a related discipline
- Basic knowledge of fundamental and solid-state physics
- Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and students
- Exceptional communication skills both verbal and written in English
- Effective analytic and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualification:
- Experience in FIB sample preparation
- Experience in TEM characterization
- Experience in semiconductor physics with respect to electrical transport
- Experience in experimental work, sample handling and preparation
- Distinctive programming skills, preferably in Python, Matlab or C++
Employment Conditions and Benefits:
Contract duration:
The position is available immediately and is limited to three years with the possibility to be extended by up to one year.
Benefits:
- The position is embedded in the BMFTR NanoMatFutur project “All-GO-HEMT”. Within this project, the position is available immediately and is limited to three years with the possibility to be extended by up to one year. Payment is according to TVöD Bund (E13 75%) (Collective agreement for the public sector). The contract includes the usual social benefits (30 vacation days in a 5-day week, flexible working hours). The Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung actively promotes the development of young scientists and follows the guidelines of the Leibniz Association.
- The Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung actively supports a healthy work-life balance and is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply and will be given preference if suitably qualified. Among equally qualified candidates, preference will be given to candidates with disabilities. IKZ promotes diversity. We welcome every qualified application, regardless of age, belief, disabilities, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
- If you want to have more information about the project, please contact us:
Dr. Andreas Fiedler (andreas.fiedler@ikz-berlin.de)
Dr. Dan Zhou (dan.zhou@ikz-berlin.de)
Application Process:
Documents Required:
- a letter of motivation,
- curriculum vitae and
- all relevant certificates
How to apply:
Then apply with a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and all relevant certificates. To do so, please go to Job offers/jobs on our homepage and click on this advertisement and then on "Apply online". Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
About the Host Lab Group/Institution:
The Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) is a leading research institution in the field of science & technology as well as service & transfer of crystalline materials. Our goal is to enable solutions for pressing societal challenges (e.g. communication, artificial intelligence, climate protection, health, etc.) through modern electronic & photonic technologies. The work covers the entire spectrum from basic and applied research to pre-industrial development and is carried out in cooperation with national and international partners from universities, academies and industry. The institute is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin (https://www.fv-berlin.de/) and a member of the Leibniz Association (https://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de). You can find more details on the institute webpage: https://www.ikz-berlin.de.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can apply for a PhD position?
PhD positions are open to candidates who hold, or will soon complete, a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a related field. Specific academic requirements may vary depending on the institution and research project.
Can international candidates apply?
Yes. Most PhD positions are open to international applicants. Universities usually provide support for visa applications and residence permits, subject to national regulations.
Is a Master’s degree mandatory for applying to a PhD?
In most cases, a completed Master’s degree is required. However, some institutions may consider exceptional candidates with strong academic backgrounds or integrated Master–PhD programs.
What is the typical duration of a PhD program?
A PhD program typically lasts 3 to 5 years, depending on the country, funding scheme, and research field. Some programs may allow extensions under specific circumstances.
Is the PhD position fully funded?
Most advertised PhD positions are fully funded and include a monthly salary or stipend. Funding details, tuition coverage, and benefits are usually specified in the job description.
Are PhD candidates considered students or employees?
This depends on the country and institution. In many European countries, PhD candidates are employed as staff members, while in others they may be registered as students receiving a stipend.
Are teaching responsibilities included in PhD positions?
Teaching duties vary by institution. Some PhD positions include teaching or lab supervision, while others are research-only. The exact expectations are described in each job advertisement.
Disclaimer:
This position is published for informational purposes. Please refer to the official application link for the most accurate and up-to-date details.