Tätigkeitsprofil:

The position:
As a PhD student in the research team “Adaptive Materials” within the department “Materials Research,” you will contribute to advancing the understanding of resistive random-access memory (RRAM) devices under harsh
environmental conditions. Your work will support the development of next-generation memory technologies with improved robustness for aerospace and space applications.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Performing electrical characterization of RRAM devices and RRAM-based arrays, both in standard and stress conditions
• Investigating the response of RRAM devices to Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE) using various radiation sources
• Assessing the radiation hardness of the technology and identifying potential failure mechanisms induced by radiation exposure
• Developing methods to detect, classify, and analyze failures in RRAM devices during and after radiation testing
• Applying and refining existing physical and compact models for RRAM devices to reproduce and explain the observed radiation-induced effects
• Contributing to the evaluation of RRAM qualification levels for low-Earth orbit (LEO) missions, following European Space Agency (ESA) standards

Your project:
The PhD candidate will contribute to a cutting-edge research project focused on the energy optimization, prototyping, and full validation of an RRAM-based memory block for critical applications in space. The central goal isto ensure reliable and efficient memory operation under harsh conditions, including radiation exposure and low temperatures. The candidate will perform comprehensive electrical characterization of RRAM devices under various
radiation sources to study TID and SEE. These experiments will take place at specialized radiation facilities across Europe. The data gathered will inform the optimization of device operation and contribute to radiation-hardened
memory designs. The project involves close collaboration with national and international partners, each contributing to complementary areas such as device modeling, circuit design, and system-level simulation. The candidate is
expected to work closely with the project manager, lab supervisors, and the RRAM team at IHP, actively contributing to joint milestones and project reviews. This position requires a high degree of autonomy, strong problem-solving
skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary and international teams. The project offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of device physics, radiation effects, and space technology.

Anforderungsprofil:

Your qualifications:
You hold a Master's degree in Physics, Electronics, or a related field. You have a solid foundation in semiconductor physics and are familiar with the fundamental principles of electrical characterization. Ideally, you have experience
working with semiconductor characterization systems, such as the Keithley 4200-SCS or Keysight B2900B SMU. You have good knowledge in programming languages such as Python, Matlab, and C++. We are looking for a team
member who is able to structure their own work and to bring a well-organized and systematic way of working into the cooperation with creative minds. In this position, you need to be a strong team player. You are an ideal candidate
for this position if you possess strong experimental, analytical, and problem-solving skills. You have excellent communication abilities and a quick learning capacity when it comes to operating advanced technical equipment and
using various software tools. It is necessary that you confidently handle the English language. Knowledge of the German language is welcome but not required. The deepening of German language skills is expected and highly
encouraged, for example in in-house language courses and intensive courses.

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