Calling tomorrow’s Compound Semiconductor experts

The Compound Semiconductor (CS) industry anchors dozens of companies and thousands of jobs in South Wales.

Careers in CS offer talented recruits the chance to work on next generation chip technologies, helping to develop tomorrow’s industrial products and processes that drive real-world changes, from more effective satellite navigation systems to more efficient electric vehicles.

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral training in Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing was set up four years ago to recruit and train the best student minds, helping to tackle a significant shortage of high-level skills in the industry.

The CDT, a partnership between Cardiff University, UCL and the universities of Sheffield and Manchester, recruits around 14 or so Doctoral students each year. They work on their PhD research alongside an industry partner to achieve a step-change in CS manufacturing.

CDT Students are offered a full studentship for four years, including an integrated MSc in Compound Semiconductors at Cardiff University as part of the training programme.

The studentship includes a full stipend (currently £19,668), which is £2,000 above the UKRI standard stipend rate, tuition fees paid for each of the four years, a London weighting for those going on to their PhD at UCL, and a generous grant of £15,000 to support the students’ individual research and personal training.

Professor Peter Smowton, CDT Director, said: “During their PhDs, our students get a full programme of training and cohort activities which ensures they have breadth of knowledge across the whole of the CS manufacturing process as well as expertise in at least one stage. We believe that this approach is key to developing students as future leaders of compound semiconductor manufacturing, whether they choose to pursue a career in industry or academia or both.”

The CDT is now recruiting Cohort 5, their fifth and final cohort of the CDT in its current iteration. The closing date for applications is 3rd April.

If you have a degree (or are about to graduate) in physics, electronic engineering or any related STEM subject and are interested in joining their team of researchers, and take your career in CS manufacture to the next level, look on the CDT webpage for details of the application process.