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Job description
The challenge:
Power electronics are central to renewable-energy systems, electric mobility, industrial electrification and modern power grids. New wide-bandgap semiconductor devices based on silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) can switch faster and reduce conversion losses, but their performance is increasingly difficult to measure with sufficient bandwidth, accuracy and traceability. When converter efficiencies exceed 99%, even very small measurement errors can obscure the losses that designers…
need to understand.
Within the EU Chips Joint Undertaking project Moore4Power, the University of Twente will develop new measurement sensors and methods for evaluating advanced power-electronic devices and converters. We are recruiting two PhD researchers who will work as a closely connected team. One position focuses on creating wideband current-sensing technology; the other focuses on sensor characterization and on electrical and calorimetric efficiency measurements.
Choose the research direction that fits you:
PhD 1 on Wideband current sensors has the primary emphasis of: electromagnetic sensor design, modelling, prototyping and experimental validation. The best fit is A candidate interested in high-frequency measurement techniques, sensor hardware development and precision experimentation.
PhD 2 on electrical and calorimetric efficiency measurement has the primary emphasis of: measurement-system design, sensor characterization, uncertainty analysis, converter testing and calorimeter development. The best fit is a candidate interested in measurement science, power conversion, thermal engineering and system-level power electronics evaluation.
PhD 1: Wideband current sensors for fast-switching power electronics
Fast SiC and GaN switching events occur on extremely short timescales. Measuring them demands sensors with exceptional bandwidth and minimal influence on the power circuit. In this PhD project, you will design, build and validate a new generation of wideband current sensors that can reveal switching behaviour and losses that are difficult to observe with today’s instrumentation.
Your research:
- Develop current-sensor concepts targeting a bandwidth above 300 MHz and an insertion inductance below 1 nH.
- Model the electromagnetic behaviour, parasitic effects, transfer characteristics and limitations of candidate sensor architectures.
- Design and fabricate sensor prototypes, including their mechanical integration, shielding, connections and readout interfaces.
- Develop experimental methods to determine amplitude response, phase response, time-domain behaviour, linearity and sensitivity to operating conditions.
- Characterize and calibrate the sensors in collaboration with VSL, the Dutch National Metrology Institute and a Moore4Power partner.
- Demonstrate the sensors in representative SiC and GaN switching circuits and quantify how sensor performance affects switching-loss evaluation.
- Publish the scientific results and translate promising concepts into practical measurement solutions for project partners.
PhD 2: Traceable efficiency measurement using electrical and thermal methods
For a converter operating above 99% efficiency, the losses are small compared with the power being processed. Quantifying these losses reliably therefore requires more than a conventional power measurement. In this PhD project, you will create and validate a measurement framework that combines wideband electrical measurements with a next-generation calorimeter. The result will be a powerful way to understand where losses occur and how confidently they can be measured.
Your research:
- Characterize wideband voltage and current sensors in both the frequency and time domains, including amplitude, phase, linearity, dynamic behaviour and environmental influences.
- Develop calibration and uncertainty-evaluation methods for using these sensors in electrical power and efficiency measurements.
- Apply the measurement system to investigate switching behaviour, switching losses and overall efficiency of SiC- and GaN-based converters developed at the University of Twente and by Moore4Power industrial partners.
- Design, build and validate a next-generation calorimeter with a novel thermal measurement approach for accurate loss determination.
- Combine and compare electrical and calorimetric results to identify systematic effects, improve confidence in the measurements and establish traceable validation routes.
- Optimize the methods for realistic converter operating conditions and communicate practical guidance to academic and industrial users.
- Publish the scientific results and demonstrate the methods on relevant power-electronic hardware.
What the two PhD researchers share:
- You will form a closely collaborating research team: the sensor concepts from PhD 1 will inform the measurement applications in PhD 2, while the validation needs from PhD 2 will guide sensor requirements and characterization.
- You will work at the interface of measurement science and power electronics, with access to expertise and laboratory facilities at the University of Twente and VSL.
- You will collaborate intensively with academic and industrial partners across Europe, including regular project meetings, technical exchanges and work visits.
- You will have the freedom and responsibility to shape your research direction, develop advanced experimental skills and contribute to solutions with clear scientific and industrial relevance.
Requirements
Your profile for PhD 1:
- An MSc degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field, with strong experimental academic results.
- A solid foundation in analogue electronics, RF or microwave engineering, wideband sensors, or high-frequency measurement techniques.
- Hands-on interest in designing, building and debugging new wideband current sensors.
- Experience with electromagnetic or circuit simulation, PCB design, vector network analysis or oscilloscope measurements is an advantage.
- The ability to combine theoretical modelling with careful laboratory work and quantitative data analysis.
Your profile for PhD 2:
- An MSc degree in electrical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field, with strong experimental academic results.
- A solid foundation in electrical measurement, power electronics, instrumentation or experimental physics.
- Interest in both electrical and thermal measurement techniques and in connecting component-level observations to system-level efficiency.
- Experience with precision measurements, uncertainty analysis, data acquisition, power converter testing, thermal modelling or calorimetry is an advantage.
- The ability to design complex experiments, integrate multiple sensor systems and critically compare independent measurement methods.
What we are looking for in both candidates:
- You are curious, creative and motivated to solve demanding measurement problems.
- You enjoy moving between fundamental understanding, modelling, instrument development and experimental validation.
- You work carefully and systematically and are comfortable analysing measurement limitations and uncertainty.
- You communicate clearly in English and enjoy working in an international, multidisciplinary team.
- You are willing to travel for project meetings, work visits and conferences.
Conditions of employment
- A fully funded, full-time PhD position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year and an intended start in autumn 2026.
- A dynamic research environment with enthusiastic colleagues and close interaction between measurement science and power electronics.
- Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
- You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.204,- (first year) to € 4.051,- (fourth year);
- There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
- A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
- Free access to sports facilities on campus
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
- A tailored training and supervision plan supporting your scientific, technical and professional development.
- A working culture that encourages independence, responsibility and close collaboration.
Additional information
Are you interested in this position? Please apply before November 6, 2026. Include a motivation letter clearly stating whether you apply for PhD 1, PhD 2, or both, and explain why your background and interests match the selected research direction. Please also include a detailed CV, publication list if applicable, contact details of at least two references, and transcripts of your BSc and MSc studies including grades.
The selection procedure includes an interview and a short technical presentation.
For more information, please contact Prof. dr. ir. Gert Rietveld (gert.rietveld@utwente.nl) or Prof. dr. Thiago Batista Soeiro (t.batistasoeiro@utwente.nl).
Screening is part of the selection procedure.
High Tech and Human Touch
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