PhD on Ferroelectric and Antiferroelectric HfO2 Capacitors
Investigating and modeling domain dynamics in doped HfO2 thin-film capacitors for advanced energy storage and memory.
Best for:Best for graduate researchers with a background in microelectronics, materials science, or solid-state physics seeking to study advanced dielectric materials.
Overview
This PhD position offers an exciting opportunity to explore novel supercapacitor and hybrid energy storage technologies at Université Grenoble Alpes, hosted within the CEA LETI laboratory. The research centers on the experimental investigation and physical modeling of thin-film hafnium oxide (HfO2) capacitors with intentional doping to achieve ferroelectric or antiferroelectric properties. The successful candidate will fabricate metal-insulator-metal capacitors, conduct comprehensive electrical characterizations, and develop physical models describing domain relaxation under electrical excitation. The overall goal is to optimize energy density and conversion efficiency for CMOS-compatible integrated systems.
What you'll do
- Fabricate metal-insulator-metal capacitors using doped HfO2 integrated on silicon substrates
- Perform systematic electrical measurements including current-voltage and polarization-electric field characterizations
- Analyze minor hysteresis loops to determine activation energy distributions and domain relaxation dynamics
- Develop or refine physical models to describe ferroelectric and antiferroelectric transitions under cyclic electrical excitation
- Optimize recoverable energy density and conversion efficiency of the developed capacitors
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree or equivalent in Materials Science, Microelectronics, Physics, or related engineering discipline
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English: None specified; French: None specified
Instruction: English / French
- Background in thin-film integration and dielectric material engineering
- Experience with electrical characterization techniques for semiconductor or capacitor devices
- Understanding of solid-state physics or ferroelectric material behavior
- Analytical and physical modeling capabilities for electronic devices
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-31
Interested applicants should review the position details and submit their application documents through the official Campus France portal or contact the designated supervisor directly via email.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts
Contact
Jacopo Cele· Supervisor
+33 4 38 78 39 53
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