Swansea University Fully Funded Engineering PhD Scholarship UK 2022

The automotive sector is driving uptake of semiconductor devices – the rapidly expanding automotive semiconductor market (worth $35 billion in 2020) is powered by growth of Electric, Hybrid and Autonomous Vehicles sectors.

Defect-free semiconductor device product yields of >90% will be required to enable this revolution. 98% of firms expect to increase efficacy with digital technologies, with AI set to transform the global semiconductor industry over the next decade, through automated inspection, defect recognition and step changes in quality control and yield.

Device manufacturing comprises processes including wafer production, photolithography, insulator growth, deposition, etching and metal deposition). Each process step has variables, which can lead to defects.

KLA is the world’s leading metrology company – KLA’s metrology systems address chip and substrate manufacturing applications, including verification of design-manufacturability, new process characterization and high-volume manufacturing process monitoring. KLA’s precise measurement of pattern dimensions, film thicknesses, layer-to-layer alignment, pattern placement, surface topography and electro-optical properties, allow chip manufacturers to maintain tight process control for improved device performance and yield. SPTS Technology (a KLA company) is a manufacturer of etch and deposition equipment for the semiconductor industry. 

This project will combine wafer production and metrology processes for next generation semiconductor materials and devices – mapping out the materials defects and process-induced defects for Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride devices and wafers.

Devices process optimisation and state-of-the-art defect prediction, targeting material and process-induced defects, mapped using KLA tools, will be used to develop models using data-driven sequence-based deep learning with human-in-the-loop Reinforcement learning.

This sequence-based architecture will allow early identification of wafer and device defects – reducing process costs and improving power devices yields in automotive applications.

• Table of Content
• About Swansea University
• Swansea University PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Swansea University PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for Swansea University PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Swansea University

Swansea University has been at the cutting edge of research and innovation since 1920. We have a long history of working with business and industry but today our world-class research has a much wider impact across the health, wealth, culture, and well-being of our society. We have achieved an extraordinary level of success in recent years and our research activity exceeds that of many larger universities yet this has not compromised the friendly and relaxed atmosphere that has always characterised the �Swansea experience�. In our Centenary year, we look forward to continuing to work ... continue reading

Swansea University PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Swansea University PhD Scholarship

• This scholarship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees and an annual stipend of £16,062

Requirements for Swansea University PhD Scholarship Qualification

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select Electronic and Electrical Engineering / Ph.D. / Full-time / 3 Year / January

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email [email protected] where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2023
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS157 - PhD FSE’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.