Funded PhD studentship in AI-assisted materials discovery at the UK National Epitaxy Facility

About the Project

The EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility has a funded PhD studentship available for research and development in AI-assisted discovery and development of semiconductor materials and devices. This exciting new field will lead to new types of quantum computers, new lasers increasing the speed of the internet, electronics for manufacturing, and new sensing technologies for monitoring climate change and improving healthcare technologies.

The National Epitaxy Facility is a Centre-of-Excellence for semiconductor materials in the UK and is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The facility is comprised of professional staff who have developed world class epitaxy skills and capability over a period of more than 30 years. The facility is funded with state-of-the-art equipment and it currently supports research grants in excess of £150m in over 25 top Universities in the UK as well as significant work with the UK semiconductor industry.

The studentship represent a unique opportunity to be trained in the epitaxy process and to work in an emerging and exciting area of combining AI/machine learning with traditional approaches to developing and optimising semiconductor materials. You will be trained in one of the world's leading centres of excellence conducting research at the forefront of developments in next generation semiconductor materials and devices.

The Facility is a collaboration between the Universities of Sheffield, Cambridge, and University College London and is home to 11 state-of-the-art epitaxial reactors, including Metal-Organic Vapour-Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) and Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) reactors, as well as a wide range of semiconductor characterization equipment (such as SEM, AFM, XRD, eCV, Hall, Nomarski, low- and room-temperature PL).

Successful applicants will gain expertise in compound semiconductor epitaxy, advanced characterisation and will combine this with the development and use of AI tools to revolutionise the approach to creating new materials. Joining our experienced and diverse team, you will become the next generation of semiconductor experts addressing the global skills shortage in the rapidly expanding semiconductor, advanced materials and AI sectors. There may be an opportunity to work with leading AI companies supporting the overall research programme at Sheffield.

The studentship will be best suited to candidates with a keen interest in combining semiconductor materials, AI tools and advanced characterization techniques, and will desirably have a solid background in semiconductor physics or engineering.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, we invite you to apply online at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eee/pgr/apply.

Funding Notes

Full funding of this studentship is only available to home fee status students. Funding awards for home students cover 100% of home tuition fees plus a maintenance allowance (the current RCUK standard stipend is £20,780 per annum).

Overseas students may be considered if they can demonstrate they have additional funds available to cover the difference between home and overseas fees. Details about how this will be funded should be included in the application.

Self-funded overseas applicants are also welcome.