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Science and Engineering: Fully Funded Swansea University and KLA PhD: Metrology and Process Integration for Defect Mapping of Next Generation Semiconductor Materials and Devices

13 Mar 2024

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Swansea University
Department
Central
Research Field
Engineering » Electronic engineering
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
United Kingdom
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Other
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
35
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

Science and Engineering: Fully Funded Swansea University and KLA PhD: Metrology and Process Integration for Defect Mapping of Next Generation Semiconductor Materials and Devices

This PhD project will harness the power of Artificial Intelligence for application in semiconductor technologies. 

The automotive semiconductor market, valued at $35 billion in 2020, is thriving due to the surge in Electric, Hybrid, and Autonomous Vehicles. To sustain this growth, achieving defect-free semiconductor devices with yields exceeding 90% is imperative. The industry anticipates a 98% efficacy boost through AI adoption, particularly in automated inspection and defect recognition. Over the next decade, AI is poised to revolutionize the semiconductor sector, enhancing quality control and yield.  

Critical to this transformation is KLA, the global premier metrology company specializing in chip and substrate manufacturing applications. KLA's systems, encompassing design-manufacturability verification, new process characterization, and manufacturing process monitoring, ensure precise measurement of various parameters, enabling tight process control for improved performance and yield. The collaboration with KLA aims to integrate wafer production and metrology for advanced semiconductor materials like Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride. Device manufacturing, using these materials, comprises processes including wafer production, photolithography, insulator growth, deposition, etching and metal deposition). Each process step has variables, which can lead to defects.   

This PhD project requires a highly motivated student with a Physics, Computer Science or Electrical Engineering background (or similar discipline).  

Requirements

Research Field
Engineering » Electronic engineering
Education Level
Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications

Candidates must hold 1) an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), OR 2) an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.

Specific Requirements

If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations

Additional Information

Benefits

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24).

Additional research expenses will also be available.

 

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must hold 1) an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), OR 2) an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations

Selection process

Please see our website for more information.

Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Swansea University
Country
United Kingdom
City
Swansea
Postal Code
SA2 8PP
Geofield