PhD student in cyber-physical systems
Are you ready to take the next step in your academic journey? As a PhD student with us, you will work closely with leading researchers in a strong and international research environment, with access to advanced laboratory equipment and good funding opportunities. You are offered a secure employment, high-quality supervision, and space to grow, both as a researcher and as a person.
Do you want to be part of building the next generation of electronics?
Europe is rapidly trying to regain lost ground in semiconductor technology, and chiplets – several small semiconductor chips encapsulated into a functioning system – are one of the keys. The difficulty is not the chips themselves, but the connections between them.
We are looking for a PhD student to create these connections in a completely additive way: laser micromachining, selective metallization, and new light-sensitive materials, without sintering at high temperatures and with minimal material waste. The work is experimental, performed in our own laboratories, and takes place together with European industry.
The department EISLAB at Luleå tekniska universitet researches electronic systems, sensor systems, cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, and machine learning, and works with electronics all the way from materials and processes to a finished, verified component.
We collaborate closely with companies such as Bosch, Ericsson, Volvo, Infineon, Boliden, LKAB, and SKF, with leading international universities, and in large European research programs, such as Arrowhead Tools which is coordinated by LTU.
The position belongs to our growing work with additive manufacturing for chiplet packaging, where EISLAB is responsible for the packaging part within a European consortium.
Subject description
Cyber-physical systems concern integrated software and application architectures with large-scale distributed embedded systems that interact with each other and with their environment to enable secure, goal-oriented, autonomous, and evolvable solutions.
Project description
E2PACKMAN is a European flagship project of 93.7 million euros that builds next-generation semiconductor packaging – the part of chip manufacturing that determines how small, fast, and powerful electronic products can become. You will become part of a team working together with 60 partners from 13 countries, including Europe's leading semiconductor manufacturers and research institutes, to develop new materials, new equipment, and new processes and test them in real industrial applications. EISLAB is responsible for the packaging technology developed here.
Tasks
Your main tasks are to:
develop additive methods to pattern metal connections at the micro- and nanoscale in multilayer components identify and optimize polymers and light-sensitive materials for additive manufacturing establish micro-drilling with femtosecond or picosecond laser and selective metallization for vertical connections with high aspect ratio characterize the results (SEM, AFM, XCT, optical microscopy) with respect to geometric accuracy, durability, and adhesion in the interfaces validate scalability and sustainability: less material waste, better energy efficiency, no sintering at high temperatures, and compatibility with industrial HDI packaging
You will publish in scientific journals, present at international conferences, and collaborate with academic and industrial partners in Europe as well as with researchers and PhD students at LTU. The work is largely independent, but you will receive continuous supervision.
As a PhD student, you work towards a doctoral degree according to the goals in the Higher Education Ordinance: most of the time is devoted to research, and you also take courses within the doctoral program. Both research and courses are planned and documented in your individual study plan.
Qualifications
We are looking for someone who is analytical and motivated and who can drive experimental research both independently and in teams.
Requirements:
Bachelor's or Master's degree (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, electronics, materials science, nanotechnology, microelectronics, engineering physics, or a related field Experience of experimental laboratory work in micro- or nanofabrication, materials processing, or electronics manufacturing Good analytical and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written
Merit:
Micro- and nanofabrication techniques such as laser direct writing, chemical (currentless) plating, photolithography, or additive manufacturing Characterization tools such as XCT, SEM, or AFM CAD and simulation tools such as CLEWIN, ANSYS, or COMSOL Electronic packaging, HDI substrates, or chiplet architectures Experience of cleanroom work
Do you not meet all the merit points? Apply anyway. We do not expect anyone to have experience in everything – much of the competence is built up during the doctoral studies.
For further information about the respective subject, see http://www.ltu.se/research/Utbildning-pa-forskarniva/Studieplaner/Allmanna-studieplaner-Teknisk-fakultetsnamnd?l=en
Additional information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to four years. Teaching and other departmental work may be added by up to 20%. Location: Luleå. Start date: according to agreement.
For each position, a preliminary https://www.ltu.se/en/about-the-university/work-with-us/applying-for-a-job#h-Informationonpaytransparency is provided based on the requirements, responsibilities, and market conditions linked to the role.
For more information about the position, contact Dr. Shailesh Singh Chouhan, +46 920-49 2165, mailto:shailesh.chouhan@ltu.se
https://www.ltu.se/en/about-the-university/work-with-us/applying-for-a-job#h-Tradeunioncontacts
In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this advertisement, the Swedish version shall prevail.
Application
We would prefer that you apply via the application button below. The application should include a CV, a cover letter, and copies of verified degree certificates from high school and university. Mark your application with the reference number below. The application, including degree certificates, must be written in Swedish or English.
Last application date: 31 October 2026
Reference number: 4728-2026