DC15 – Smart Design of Thermoelectric Coolers for On-Chip Cooling Applications
Objective: Design and optimise compact thermoelectric coolers for localised on-chip cooling using advanced modelling and optimisation techniques, and validate their performance in micro-scale applications.
Host Institution: University of Southampton (SOTON)
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Main Supervisor: Dr. Ruomeng Huang (University of Southampton), United Kingdom
Co-Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Kornelius Nielsch, IFW Dresden (Germany), Dr. Alexandre Shen, III-V Lab (France)
Duration: 36 months (full-time employment)
PhD-awarding Institution: University of Southampton
Project Overview
DC15 will focus on the development of advanced thermoelectric cooler designs for on-chip cooling applications. The project will address model-based and data-driven design strategies to optimise thermoelectric cooler architectures using magnesium-based materials and modules developed in the consortium.
A primary focus will be placed on improving cooling efficiency, thermal uniformity, dynamic response, and integration compatibility with modern microelectronic and photonic platforms.
The project will combine numerical modelling, optimisation methodologies, and experimental validation to establish design–performance relationships and ensure scalability and application-oriented implementation of thermoelectric cooling solutions for next-generation compact electronic systems.
Research Tasks and Training Objectives
The Doctoral Candidate (m/f/div) will:
- Develop numerical and data-driven models for thermoelectric coolers used in on-chip cooling applications
- Apply optimisation algorithms to improve cooling efficiency, thermal uniformity, and scalability
- Investigate design trade-offs between performance, footprint, and energy consumption
- Support the design and fabrication of thermoelectric coolers for localised chip-scale cooling
- Experimentally evaluate cooling performance, response time, and reliability
- Integrate modelling insights into device-level and system-level demonstrators within the network
- Collaborate closely with materials, module, refrigeration, and photonics-focused DCs
- Participate in secondments, network-wide scientific training, and transferable skills activities
- Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications, international conferences, and outreach initiatives
Secondments
To strengthen interdisciplinary and intersectoral training, DC15 will undertake the following secondments:
- EXK (Spain) – 2 months (Month 14)
Focus: Industrial requirements and application-driven validation of cooling solutions - University College Cork (Ireland) – 2 months (Month 30)
Focus: Integration of thermoelectric modules into compact device platforms - IFW Dresden (Germany) – 3 months (Month 30)
Focus: Performance optimisation of thermoelectric materials and module architectures
Requirements
Education
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electronic or Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (thermal or heat-transfer focus), Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field. Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Technical Competences
- Strong background in thermal management, thermoelectric systems, or numerical modelling
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL, FEM, MATLAB, or similar software)
- Knowledge of optimisation methods, data-driven modelling, or control strategies is advantageous
- Understanding of microelectronic or photonic device thermal behaviour is beneficial
- Interest in compact cooling technologies and high-performance electronic systems
Personal Skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving abilities
- Ability to work independently and within an international interdisciplinary research network
- Excellent written and spoken English
Join MGICIAN as a Doctoral Candidate
Apply now and become part of MGICIAN as a Doctoral Candidate. Shape the future of sustainable solid-state cooling with us.