"PhD Position on Elastocaloric Microcooling for Photonic Systems - Part-time 75%"

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The University in the Helmholtz Association
In close partnership with society, KIT develops solutions for urgent challenges – from climate change, energy transition and sustainable use of natural resources to artificial intelligence, sovereignty and an aging population. As The University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT unites scientific excellence from insight to application-driven research under one roof – and is thus in a unique position to drive this transformation. As a University of Excellence, KIT offers its more than 10,000 employees and 22,800 students outstanding opportunities to shape a sustainable and resilient future.
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We are looking for the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) starting on 01.06.2026 or later and limited for 3 years (with the possibility to extend for one year) for a

PhD Position on Elastocaloric Microcooling for Photonic Systems

Part-time 75%

You will work on the development of a next-generation elastocaloric microcooling system with an intelligent thermal switch for precise temperature control in photonic systems.

This includes the following tasks:

• Design and development of an elastocaloric microcooling system based on shape memory alloy (SMA) thin films
• Concept and development of an intelligent thermal switch for controllable heat transfer
• Integration of the thermal switch into the elastocaloric cooling device to enhance heat dissipation and reliability
• Rapid prototyping (optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
• Development, characterization and control of cooling demonstrator variants
• Simulation-based design optimization

You will be embedded in the Hector Fellow Academy network and will collaborate closely with project partners from ETH Zurich and Fraunhofer IWM.

The position offers the opportunity to pursue a part-time doctoral degree.

Personal qualification

• Master's degree (GPA <1.7) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Microsystem Technology, or a related field
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, or microsystems engineering
• Experience in CAD, Lumped element modelling and/or FEM simulation and/or MATLAB programming, thermal characterization, mechanical testing
• High proficiency in spoken and written English

This is what we offer

Become a member of staff of the only German University of Excellence that conducts large-scale research on the national level. Work under excellent working conditions in an interna-tional environment and be active in research and aca­demic education for our future. Benefit from specific training when starting your job and from a wide range of further qualification offers. Use our flexible working time models (flexitime, work from home), our sports and leisure offers, as well as our child and holiday care services. We also pay a share of EUR 25/month in the Job Ticket Baden-Württemberg. Enjoy a large variety of dishes, snacks, and beverages at our canteens.

We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.

Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.

Please apply online until 19.04.2026 using the vacancy number 136/2026 to Ms Gätcke, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Human Resources, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany. For further information, please contact Dr. Xu, email: jingyuan.xu@kit.edu.