Emerging Scholars Council
PhD Studentship - Physics and Engineering: Characterisation and Metrology of Next Generation Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductors and Devices
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A PhD studentship is available for commencement October 2026 – January 2027 as part of the first Cohort of a new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills* led by Swansea University in partnership with the University of Leeds. The PhD studentship will be:
- 4 years duration at an enhanced stipend rate of £5,000 above the UKRI basic rate;
- Flexibly structured as 4 years of research with a continuous programme of practical skills training in semiconductor science, engineering and technology, and particularly suited to students from non-traditional education routes such as degree qualified apprentices or those seeking to move sector from another cognate industry, or indeed remain employed whilst pursuing their PhDs;
- Based at Swansea University’s new state-of-the-art semiconductor research and innovation facility (the £55M Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials);
- In collaboration with and sponsored by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), with a co-created research project and opportunity to spend substantial time at NPL Teddington.
Semiconductors are key enablers of virtually every aspect of modern society from smart phones and computers to energy generation, communications, AI, defence, transport and healthcare. Without semiconductors there will be no Net Zero transition, and as demonstrated during COVID, disruption of semiconductor manufacturing supply chains can literally bring the world to a standstill. Whilst the ubiquitous semiconductor silicon has powered the last 70 years of technology, new and more advanced semiconductors such as compound semiconductors are creating incredible new opportunities in areas such as efficient power electronics, clean energy generation and conversion radically more efficient power processors for artificial intelligence, electrification of transport and space technology.
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This exciting PhD project comes with an enhanced stipend for the full 4 years of study and generous research funds and research training grant. The projects will be hosted by and undertaken in Swansea University’s flagship new £55M Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) recently opened in 2025 and providing state-of-the-art semiconductor fabrication cleanrooms and associated experimental laboratories and device design, testing and characterisation facilities. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Materials Science. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from non-traditional education routes such as degree qualified apprentices or those seeking to move sector from another cognate industry or indeed undertake a PhD whilst remaining employed with their current employer in the semiconductor sector.
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UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills will create a vibrant, multi-disciplinary cohort experience for all our students and provide highly practical training of substantial value to those interested in careers in the semiconductor and related sectors such as optoelectronics and clean energy. You will have a chance to work with a large range of industrial partners who will not only deliver training content but also co-supervise research and host secondments. If you want to undertake cutting edge research in world class facilities closely linked to the rapidly expanding UK semiconductor sector, then UK-SIFS is your opportunity.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants. Please see our website for more information on the selection process.
Funding Details
Covers full tuition, £21,805 stipend (2026/27), and an enhancement of £5,000
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