Offer Description
Project: MaGnesium Alloys for effICient solId stAte cooliNg (MGICIAN)
Host Institution: University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland
Main Supervisor: Dr. Kafil M. Razeeb (Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork), Ireland
PhD-awarding Institution: University College Cork
Reference Code: MGICIAN-UCC-DC5
About the Host Institution
UCC is a leading university in Ireland with internationally recognized research across all disciplines. In 2023, UCC ranked in the top 2% of the QS world-wide university rankings and was the top Irish university in terms of research impact according to the Times Higher Education score in 2021. UCC has obtained a HR Excellence in Research Award, which supports researcher career development by implementing EC policy (www.ucc.ie). Tyndall National Institute is a multidisciplinary UCC research flagship and a leading European research centre. In collaboration with academia and industry, Tyndall research spans the core areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-food and the environment. Further information is available at: www.tyndall.ie
About the MGICIAN Doctoral Network
MGICIAN is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network dedicated to developing sustainable magnesium-based thermoelectric materials and translating them into high-performance solid-state cooling technologies. The network brings together academic and industrial partners across Europe and trains 15 Doctoral Candidates (m/f/div) in materials development, interface engineering, module fabrication, and system integration.
Project Overview
DC5 will focus on the development and evaluation of advanced interface material schemes for magnesium-based thermoelectric devices used in solid-state cooling applications. The project will address the design and optimisation of interface materials and bonding strategies to achieve low electrical contact resistance, mechanical robustness, and long-term stability. A primary focus will be placed on compatibility with magnesium-based thermoelectric systems and industrially relevant fabrication routes. The project will combine electrical, thermal, structural, and thermo‑mechanical characterisation to establish interface‑performance relationships and identify processing‑ and operation‑induced failure mechanisms, ensuring integration compatibility with thermoelectric modules developed within the consortium.
Research Tasks and Training Objectives
The Doctoral Candidate (m/f/div) will:
Develop and process interface materials and bonding strategies for magnesium-based thermoelectric devices
Investigate structural, electrical, thermal, and thermo‑mechanical properties of interfaces
Analyse inter‑diffusion, reaction layers, and contact resistance phenomena
Optimise interface concepts to achieve low electrical resistance and high long‑term reliability
Study degradation mechanisms under thermal cycling and operational conditions
Support integration of the developed interface into thermoelectric modules
Collaborate closely with modelling, materials, and module‑focused DCs within the network
Participate in secondments, network‑wide scientific training, and transferable skills activities
Disseminate research results through peer‑reviewed publications, international conferences, and outreach initiatives
Secondments
DC5 will undertake the following secondments:
III‑V Lab (France) – 2 monthsFocus: Industrial interface fabrication strategies and device‑level requirements
CSIC (Spain) – 2 monthsFocus: Interface materials analysis and reliability assessment
DLR (Germany) – 2 monthsFocus: Integration of optimised interfaces into thermoelectric modules and system‑level evaluation
Candidate Requirements
Strong background in materials interfaces, thin films, joining technologies, or device fabrication
Experience with experimental materials characterisation techniques
Knowledge of electrical and thermal transport phenomena is advantageous
Understanding of thermo‑mechanical behaviour and reliability testing is beneficial
Interest in thermoelectric devices and energy‑related materials
Personal Skills
Strong analytical and experimental problem‑solving skills
Ability to work independently and within an international interdisciplinary research network
Excellent written and spoken English
Specific Requirements
Must not hold a PhD degree
Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
Education
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related field.
Employment Conditions
Full‑time employment contract for up to 36 months
Salary according to the MSCA Doctoral Network regulations, including:
Living allowance: €5,469/month
Mobility allowance: €710/month
Family allowance: €660/month (if applicable)
The final gross and net salary will depend on the national taxation and social security contributions.
Participation in international training events and secondments
Tyndall-UCC and MGICIAN are committed to equal opportunities and diversity in line with the European Charter for Researchers. We encourage qualified women to apply to increase female representation. Additionally, disabled applicants (m/f/div) will receive preferential consideration if they meet the requisite qualifications. Promising candidates will be invited for an online interview.
Additional comments
Contact
For information about this research project and the Doctoral Candidate position, please contact:
For questions regarding the administrative aspects of the recruitment process, please contact:
Additional background information about the host institution and the research group can be found at https://mgician.eu/
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