PhD Position on Elastocaloric Microcooling for Photonic Systems

Your Tasks

You will work on the development of a next-generation elastocaloric microcooling system with an intelligent thermal switch for precise temperature control in photonic systems.

This includes the following tasks:

• Design and development of an elastocaloric microcooling system based on shape memory alloy (SMA) thin films
• Concept and development of an intelligent thermal switch for controllable heat transfer
• Integration of the thermal switch into the elastocaloric cooling device to enhance heat dissipation and reliability
• Rapid prototyping (optical lithography, 3D printing, laser technology)
• Development, characterization and control of cooling demonstrator variants
• Simulation-based design optimization

You will be embedded in the Hector Fellow Academy network and will collaborate closely with project partners from ETH Zurich and Fraunhofer IWM.

The position offers the opportunity to pursue a part-time doctoral degree.

Your Profile

• Master's degree (GPA > 3,3) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Microsystem Technology, or a related field
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, or microsystems engineering
• Experience in CAD, Lumped element modelling and/or FEM simulation and/or MATLAB programming, thermal characterization, mechanical testing
• High proficiency in spoken and written English

We Offer

• Science for Impact: Engage with topics of societal relevance—in an excellent scientific environment that enables change.
• Flexible Working Hours: Take advantage of flexible‑hours schemes, remote‑work options, part‑time models, and a 30‑day annual leave entitlement to achieve an optimal work‑life balance.
• Career‑Building and Developmental Opportunities: We provide you with a structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing‑education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth.
• Family‑friendliness: The “KIT‑Family+” program assists you in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent‑child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives.
• Stay Healthy: Under the motto “Fit at KIT – Body, Mind and Soul,” we promote your well‑being through fitness classes, mental‑health programmes, and regular preventive health examinations.
• Individualised Extra Benefits: Enjoy a corporate pension (VBL), a €25 monthly contribution toward a JobTicketBW, plus a broad selection of cultural and recreational programmes.

Job location

Eggenstein‑Leopoldshafen (and Karlsruhe)

Salary

Salary category 13 TV‑L; classification is based on personal and professional qualifications.

Contract duration

3 years

At KIT we value the diversity of our employees; different perspectives and backgrounds enrich our work. We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job. Applications from recognized severely disabled individuals are given preferential consideration when qualifications are equal.