Doctoral student position for DNA self-assembled carbon nanotubes-based circuits for digital electronics

Offer Description

The Photonic nanosystems group at the University of Fribourg is looking for a highly motivated student in the field of physics, chemistry, engineering or related for the development of 2D and 3D DNA origami structures, and their functionalization with CNTs (carbon nanotubes) and metallic nanoparticles to achieve a new type of nanoelectronics. More about the group you can find here Photonic Nanosystems.

Project description

It is anticipated that the continuous downscaling of silicon (Si) complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) devices is close to its end. Still, alternative technologies capable of maintaining advances in computing power and energy efficiency have not yet been established. CNT-based electronics is one of the most promising candidates to continue downscaling. CNTs offer incredibly high carrier mobility and saturation velocity, which should provide high-speed device operation. However, the fabrication of high-performance CNT-FETs, and the realization of the full potential of CNTs, are extremely challenging. One of the tools to address this challenge is DNA nanotechnology, especially the DNA origami technique. DNA origami enables the folding of nanometer-size structures with predesigned geometry and nanometer precision. Moreover, due to its addressability, DNA origami provides an ideal platform for incorporating various structures such as nanoparticles, proteins and small molecules. Furthermore, DNA origami modules can self-assemble into high-quality 3D geometries with multiple functionalities.

This project, denominated 3D Biofabricated high-perfoRmance dna-carbon nanotube dIgital electroniCKS (3D-BRICKS), is a collaborative effort of 10 leading research groups in Italy, Germany, Belgium and Spain and it is funded by the ERC through the EIC Pathfinder program for the EU group members and by SERI for us.  It aims to develop a radically new approach to nanoelectronics fabrication using DNA nanotechnology. In particular, we plan to exploit the DNA origami to align, organize and contact CNTs in different geometries for transistors, digital logic gates and memories. We envision that the nanolithography-free fully 3D design proposed in 3D-BRICKS has the potential to radically transform the current approach in 3D transistor technology with a remarkable impact in nanoelectronics in particular and nanotechnology in general, fields that are expected to be worth more than $1,700 billion by 2030

Your Profile

Completed master’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science, or related.

Background in DNA nanotechnology, preferably DNA origami.

Background in nanoparticles synthesis and functionalization.

Strong hands-on experience in wet-chemistry laboratory.

Excellent communication skills in English.

Strong curiosity and willingness to learn.

Salary: around 50000 CHF gross/year