Key Information
Funding providers: EPSRC iCASE and Siemens
Subject areas: Wide Bandgap Semiconductors, Power Electronics
Project start date:
- 1 July 2025
- 1 October 2025
Supervisors:
Professor Mike Jennings (M.R.Jennings@swansea.ac.uk), Dr Mohammad Monfared, Imran Agha
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
The project will work alongside a leading industrial partner (Siemens), which brings together a number of world leaders in power electronics and energy conversion to develop solutions for Industrial motor drives as a primary application as well renewable energy as a secondary application. . The purpose is to improve the UKs energy infrastructure in applications such as manufacturing, warehousing, utilities supply, food & beverage processing and many others as we move into a low carbon economy. A paradigm shift in technology will be required in order to cope effectively with an ever-increasing amount of renewable energy being brought online. It is envisaged that other forms of renewable energy e.g. tidal, solar could also play a role alongside traditional coal fired power stations and nuclear energy generation. Revolutionary changes to power conversion is indispensable if these carbon emissions targets are to be met. The objective is to enable a step change in power density, energy efficiency, sustainability in transmission and distribution through novel power electronics solutions and products based on new materials. At the heart of such systems are power semiconductor devices.
The advantages of wide bandgap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) for power electronic applications are well documented. High voltage GaN is an emerging semiconductor technology that has recently been identified as a promising candidate for power electronics with the potential to have an impact in the medium voltage range (650V – 3.3kV). There are very few reports on this exciting new technology. This project is aimed at understanding the fundamental performance limit of vertical GaN power devices through advanced modelling (electrical and thermal), device fabrication and testing, including a reliability analysis. A self-motivated individual who will be based between the the Siemens facility (Siemens Power Electronics Innovation hub) in Newport and the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) will conduct research into the latest GaN power electronic devices. The research work will be undertaken in a state of the art, brand new Centre of Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) cleanroom. For more details regarding this world-class facility see here: the new Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) – Swansea University’s flagship new £55M facility for advanced semiconductor research and development.
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/science-and-engineering/research/semiconductors/
Application areas: Renewable Energy (wind, photovoltaic, tidal etc.), Industrial motor drives, Automotive.
Eligibility
PhD: 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 European Applicants 2019 and Country-specific Information for International Applicants 2019.
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.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees, an annual stipend at £19,237 and an annual £2,000 top-up.
Additional research expenses will also be available.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:
-
Course choice – please select as per preferred start date, either –*For July 2025:Electronic and Electrical Engineering/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / JulyOR*For October 2025:Electronic and Electrical Engineering/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
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 pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
- Start year – please select 2025
- Funding (page 8) –
- ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
- ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS792 – Power Management’
*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.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:
- 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)
- Confirmation of EDI form submission
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Professor Mike Jennings (M.R.Jennings@swansea.ac.uk).
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
