PhD Positions - Thermoelectric Materials & Solid-State Cooling (Fully Funded, Europe)

15 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Thermoelectric Materials and Solid-State Cooling (MSCA Doctoral Network, Horizon Europe)

We are recruiting 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) for the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). The project focuses on sustainable magnesium-based thermoelectric materials for next-generation solid-state cooling applications, combining materials science, device engineering, and system integration.

Applicants may apply for one primary PhD project from the list of 15 individual positions (DC1–DC15). In addition, they may indicate up to two optional choices , provided these are relevant to their academic background, skills, and research interests.

The positions are hosted at leading European institutions, including:

DC1: Development of Mg-Based Thermoelectric Materials for Solid-State Cooling
Host: University of Cyprus (UCY), Nicosia, Cyprus
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Theodora Kyratsi
Focus: thermoelectric materials synthesis and characterisation
Background: physics, materials science, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC2: Synthesis and Transport Studies of Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Materials
Host: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon, Portugal
Supervisor: Dr. Elsa Branco Lopes
Focus: materials synthesis and transport properties
Background: physics, materials science, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC3: Microstructure, Defect, and Interface Engineering of Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Materials
Host: Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (SUSMAT), Düsseldorf, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christina Scheu
Focus: structural characterisation (XRD, SEM, TEM, APT)
Background: physics, materials science, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC4: Atomistic Modelling and Design of Thermoelectric Materials and Interfaces
Host: King’s College London (KCL), London, United Kingdom
Supervisor: Dr. Ivana Savic
Focus: computational materials modelling
Background: physics, computational materials science. or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC5: Development of Interface Materials for Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Devices
Host: University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland
Supervisor: Dr. Kafil M. Razeeb
Focus: interface materials and bonding
Background: materials science, engineering, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC6: Diffusion Layers, Soldering Concepts, and Thermal Management Components for TE Devices
Host: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Supervisor: Dr. Marisol Martin-Gonzalez
Focus: diffusion barriers and heat management
Background: materials science, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC7: High-Performance Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Modules for Solid-State Cooling
Host: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Johannes de Boor
Focus: module fabrication and integration
Background: materials science, engineering, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC8: Mechanically Robust Design of Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Modules
Host: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Johannes de Boor
Focus: mechanical design, reliability and testing
Background: mechanical engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC9: Fabrication of High-Performance Thermoelectric Modules for Cooling Applications
Host: IFW Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kornelius Nielsch
Focus: module fabrication and testing
Background: materials science, engineering, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC10: Scalable Fabrication and Advanced Coating of Thermoelectric Coolers
Host: IFW Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kornelius Nielsch
Focus: coating technologies and durability
Background: materials science, chemistry, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC11: Hybrid Refrigeration System with Precise Temperature Control Using Thermoelectric Cooling
Host: Public University of Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. David Astrain
Focus: thermoelectric-assisted refrigeration systems
Background: mechanical engineering, energy systems, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC12: Thermoelectric Sub-Cooling Systems for High-Efficiency Refrigeration
Host: Public University of Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. David Astrain
Focus: refrigeration efficiency optimization
Background: mechanical engineering, energy systems, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC13: Thermal Optimisation of Photonic Devices Using Thermoelectric Cooling
Host: III-V Lab, Palaiseau, France
Supervisor: Dr. Alexandre Shen
Focus: thermal management for photonics
Background: physics, electrical engineering, photonics, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

DC14: Thermoelectric Cooling for Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)
Host: University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland
Supervisor: Dr. Kafil M. Razeeb
Focus: Cooling solutions for PICs
Background: Physics, Electrical Engineering or closely related
Apply:

DC15: Smart Design of Thermoelectric Coolers for On-Chip Applications
Host: University of Southampton (SOTON), Southampton, United Kingdom
Supervisor: Dr. Ruomeng Huang
Focus: on-chip cooling and system optimisation
Background: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline
Apply:

Full project details:

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in: materials science, physics, engineering, or a related field
• Strong interest in research and innovation
• Good English communication skills

Eligibility conditions:

• Applicants must not already hold a PhD
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule (must not have lived or worked in the recruiting country for more than 12 months within the past 36 months).

What we offer:

• Excellent research environment in leading European research institutions
• Salary according to the MSCA Doctoral Network regulations, including: i)living allowance: €4,010 / month (before country correction coefficient), ii)mobility allowance: €710 / month, and iii)family allowance: €660 / month (if applicable). The final gross and net salary will depend on the country's correction coefficient, national taxation, and social security contributions .
• International mobility and secondments
• Industry and academic training
• Structured doctoral programme

EU funding acknowledgment:

This project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA Doctoral Network).

Equal opportunity statement:

We are committed to equal opportunities and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Start date:

01-07-2026

How to apply:

Apply online via:

Please include:

CV, motivation letter, and academic transcripts

Contact:

For questions regarding the administrative aspects of the recruitment process, please contact: Dr. Jamil Ur Rahman ( [email protected] ).