Electronic Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in next-generation Wide-bandgap Materials and Devices

Key Information

Funding providers: IQE and Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University  

Subject areas: Materials Science, Electronic Engineering, Physics 

Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September) 

Supervisors:

• Dr Saptarsi Ghosh 
• Prof David Ritchie 
• Dr Dan Lamb 

Aligned programme of study:  PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering OR PhD in Materials Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

Silicon has traditionally dominated as the semiconductor for power electronics, but its inherent limitations such as narrow bandgap (and thus operating voltage) have led to an increasing focus on next-generation wider bandgap compound semiconductors with superior characteristics. Understanding and developing these wider bandgap semiconductors will be the focus of this PhD project with a particular focus on more efficient power electronics to facilitate societal progress toward Net Zero. Activities will include: i) the application of advanced characterisation to understand the structure-property relationships in newly-developed SiC and GaN devices and materials; and ii) the growth and characterisation of emergent semiconductors with ultra-wide gaps based upon gallium oxide (Ga2O3) and its alloys utilising Swansea University’s state-of-the-art new industrial-grade AIXTRON Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) epitaxy reactor.  

This exciting PhD project will be undertaken in close collaboration with (and is sponsored by) one of the world’s leading compound semiconductor epitaxy companies (IQE). It will be hosted by and use the full facilities of the new Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) – Swansea University’s flagship £55M facility for advanced semiconductor research and development. This is an outstanding opportunity for materials science, electrical / electronic engineering, chemistry or physics graduate to be part of the semiconductor for net-zero revolution. 

This studentship will also be part of an exciting new Doctoral Training Initiative called UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills, or UK-SIFS for short. UK-SIFS 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 also 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. We would particularly welcome appropriately qualified applicants with experience from other industry sectors looking to embark on a new career journey in semiconductors. If you want to undertake cutting edge research in world-class facilities closely linked to the rapidly expanding UK semiconductor sector, then UK-SIFS and this PhD project is your opportunity.

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Saptarsi Ghosh via saptarsi.ghosh@swansea.ac.uk  

Eligibility

Scholarship open to UK and international fee eligible applicants

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.  See – Country Specific Information for International Applicants 2025  

English Language

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer. 

Funding

Funding is available for 4 years. This scholarship includes an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). An additional research training support grant of up to £3,000 per year will also be available.

Tuition Fees 

UK Fee Eligible Students: This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees for UK students. 

International Students: This scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition fees if the applicant is also successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.

• Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.   
• The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability.
• All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete your application online via the above ‘Apply’ button with the following information:

• Course choice– please select: (Full Time) Electronic and Electrical Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
• Start year– please select 2025
• Funding (page 8 on the application process)

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 case, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter 'RS809 – DFA IQE'

*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.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• 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
• One reference (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)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission