PhD in micromachined radio-frequency filters for 6G telecommunication

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Electrical Engineering

The project focuses on pioneering a novel technology for RF filters for antenna arrays in future 6G base station infrastructure, operating in the new 6G FR3 (7-15 GHz) frequency spectrum. The proposed technology is enabled by silicon-micromachining which is a technology for fabricating three-dimensional structures inside silicon wafers. The methodology in this project is as follows: (1) developing suitable filter concepts and designs and interfaces between antenna arrays and active circuits, simulations by CST Microwave Studio; (2) prototype manufacturing in KTH’s class-100 clean-room facilities, with state-of-the-art microfabrication tools; (3) characterization of the devices both in KTH’s THz lab and at industrial collaboration partners. As this new technology is considered to be an enabling technology for this new 6G frequency space, research on prove-of-concept prototypes for alternative device functions and applications will be carried out as well. The project work is interdisciplinary and requires to acquire and to combine knowledge in different domains, rather than specializing into a single subject.

The project work is carried out in the THz lab of the Micro and Nano Systems division at KTH’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, which is world-leading in silicon-micromachined microwave and THz devices and systems. The lab has measurement equipment, incl. a fully automated THz antenna measurement chamber, up to 750 GHz, and many advanced custom-built microwave and THz measurement setups. The project work is funded by a large-scale EU project within the Smart-Networks-Service programme, and carried out in tight collaboration with major Swedish and European telecom industry, with project partners in 6 different European countries.

Supervision: Professor Joachim Oberhammer, KTH | Joachim Oberhammer

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and in Sweden

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
• the candidate should have a background in electrical engineering, engineering physics, or equivalent.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

It is beneficial in the selection process if the candidate has basic knowledge and experience with RF technology, RF simulation tools, RF measurements, basics in telecommunication and electromagnetic wave propagation.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.