DC2 – Synthesis and Transport Studies of Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Materials
Objective: Synthesize optimised thermoelectric materials and investigate their electrical and thermal transport properties, including low-temperature behaviour, to identify performance-limiting mechanisms and develop transport models guiding material optimisation.
Host Institution: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Main Supervisor: Dr. Elsa Branco Lopes, (IST) Portugal
Co-Supervisors: Dr. Vicente Pacheco, IFAM (Germany) Industry Dr. Ivana Savic, KCL (UK) Prof. Dr. Antonio Pereira Goncalves, IST (Portugal)
Duration: 36 months (full-time employment)
PhD-awarding Institution: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)
Project Overview
DC2 will focus on the synthesis and transport investigation of magnesium-based thermoelectric materials for solid-state cooling applications.
The project will address reproducible synthesis routes, systematic electrical and thermal transport measurements, and quantitative analysis of conduction mechanisms across a broad temperature range.
The project will combine controlled materials synthesis, advanced transport characterisation, and modelling-supported interpretation to establish structure-transport-performance relationships and ensure alignment with materials optimisation and module integration activities within the consortium.
Research Tasks and Training Objectives
The Doctoral Candidate (m/f/div) will:
- Synthesize magnesium-based thermoelectric materials using complementary and scalable processing routes
- Perform electrical transport measurements (electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, Hall effect)
- Conduct thermal transport measurements and analyse lattice and electronic contributions
- Investigate structure–property relationships governing thermoelectric performance
- Identify performance-limiting mechanisms, correlate them with composition and microstructure, and optimize them for cooling applications
- Contribute to transport modelling activities and modules development in collaboration with network partners
- Participate in secondments, network-wide training events, and transferable skills courses
- Disseminate research results through publications, conferences, and outreach activities
Secondments
To strengthen interdisciplinary and intersectoral training, DC2 will undertake the following secondments:
- IFAM (Germany) – 2 months
Focus: Processing optimisation and industrially relevant synthesis strategies - DLR (Germany) – 3 months
Focus: Advanced thermoelectric characterisation and module-relevant performance evaluation - King’s College London (UK) – 1 month
Focus: Advanced transport modelling and interpretation of experimental data
Requirements
Education
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related field. Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD Programme at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)
Technical Competences
- Background in solid-state physics, transport phenomena, thermoelectric materials, or energy materials
- Experience with experimental materials synthesis and/or electrical or thermal transport measurements
- Familiarity with data analysis and modelling tools is considered an advantage
- Understanding of charge carrier transport and phonon scattering mechanisms is beneficial
Personal Skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills
- Ability to work independently and within an international collaborative research network
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong team-working skills and ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
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.