Master Thesis - Electro-Thermal-Mechanical Investigation for Power Module Reliability

Are you fascinated by the recent advancement of power electronics and want to be part of it? By bringing your multi-disciplinary knowledge, you can make a better world by reducing carbon footprint. The power electronics team in Silicon Austria Labs are doing cutting edge research to optimize electronic based systems (EBS). System Level Integration Technique research unit is looking for a motivated master's student for an interesting Master Thesis topic focusing on characterization of power modules.

Your future tasks include:

• Investigate reliability and failure mechanisms in power modules
• Analyze degradation effects caused by thermo-mechanical stress, material mismatch, and electrical and thermal loading
• Study failure mechanisms such as solder fatigue, delamination, cracking, and interconnection degradation
• Perform literature research and material analysis
• Identify critical reliability-related design regions
• Evaluate the influence of operating conditions on lifetime and robustness of power electronic systems
• Develop or adapt electro-thermal-mechanical simulation models
• Correlate power losses, temperature distribution, and mechanical stress
• Perform parameter studies on geometry, materials, and thermal interfaces

Your profile:

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, and currently enrolled in a Master's program (EU university), with good academic performance
• Basic knowledge in CAD design and FEM simulation tools (e.g., SolidWorks, ANSYS)
• Good knowledge in semiconductor devices
• Ability to work independently on given tasks
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to clearly document and present technical results using standard Microsoft Office tools

Important Facts about SAL:

• Duration: 9 months
• Diverse research activities with many technical challenges
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment
• Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career
• "Vital4SAL" to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
• € 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets
• Free coffee/milk/tea & fresh fruits
• Our values: Open door policy, flexibility in working hours, casual dress code, diverse teams, working with people of different nationalities, informal communication, lifelong learning, compatibility of family and career, sustainability, personal growth, and collective advancement

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA). For this position, we offer a monthly gross salary of EUR 1.991, paid 14 times a year.