PhD Position Low-power Plant-energy Harvesting IC design

Are you passionate about sustainable energy solutions and innovative circuit design? We invite applications for a PhD position focusing on low-power plant energy harvesting integrated circuit (IC) design at APIC TU Delft. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the rapidly evolving field of energy harvesting technologies. By collaborating closely with industry partners, your work has the potential to evolve into a tangible product and address real-world challenges!

Job description

You will investigate novel approaches to design and implement low-power ICs that efficiently harvest energy from various plant sources. This interdisciplinary research blends electrical engineering, sustainable energy, and biosystems, aiming to develop solutions that can potentially transform how we harness energy from our natural environment.

Research Objectives:

• Discorver a new maximum-power-point tracking circuit for plant-energy harvester

• Minimize the power consumption of the energy harvester for longer system life time
• Make a prototype of the proposed circuit with the plant energy harvesting device produced by Plant-e and test it in a real-life scenario for robustness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct original research in the area of energy harvesting IC design.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and industry partners.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM)

Be a part of a leading research team with great track record in sensing analog and mixed-signal ICs. You’ll be working at Electronic Components, Technology and Materials  (ECTM) of Department of Microelectronics from Faculty EEMCS. At ECTM, you will be joining a dynamic and supportive research environment, home to a highly motivated international team of professors and a growing group of postdocs and PhD students. We offer access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including advanced laboratories and cutting-edge tools to support your research. Additionally, we provide a competitive stipend and funding for conference attendance and research-related travel, including events like ISSCC, VLSI, and ESSCIRC, as well as opportunities to publish in high-quality journals such as JSSC and collaborate with industry partners.

At ECTM, you'll find an open, friendly, and highly supportive environment, with opportunities for professional development and training to successfully develop your academic skills. We do not distinguish between hierarchical levels and we have a strong collaborative culture, in which we interact on a daily basis. Sharing a drive to strengthen the position of ECTM as a whole.   

Job requirements 

• Master's degree in Eletrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field. 
• Strong background in circuit design, especially in low-power and energy harvesting systems. 
• Familiarity with simulation tools (e.g., SPICE, LTspice, Cadence). 
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a strong desire to innovate. 
• Effective communication skills in English, both written and verbal. 

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment 
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Qinwen Fan via q.fan@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than December 8, 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A detailed CV.

• A cover letter outlining research interests and relevant experience.

• Transcripts of academic records.

• Contact information for two academic or professional references.

• English certificates if you obtained a non-English MSc degree

You can address your application to Dr. Fan.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure.
  (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.