PhD Student Power Electronics (f/m/d)

Work environment The future of mobility is evolving. How do we contribute to this transformation? Volkswagen manufactures vehicles in 14 countries and delivers them to customers in more than 150 markets worldwide. Electromobility, smart mobility, and digital transformation are at the core of our future strategy. For millions of people, Volkswagen represents mobility, not only today but also tomorrow. Become part of this journey and help shape the mobility solutions of the future with your curiosity and innovative ideas. You will join a diverse and highly motivated team that supports your professional development and enables you to unlock your full potential. As a PhD candidate in Power Electronics Development, you will work on exciting and challenging topics at the forefront of automotive technology. Scientific interest in the application of wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices, particularly gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, in traction inverter systems has increased significantly in recent years. Thanks to their outstanding characteristics, such as low on-state resistance and high switching speeds, GaN HEMTs enable highly compact power converters with increased integration levels and power density, making them a key technology for future electric vehicles. Take the opportunity to advance electromobility at Volkswagen and contribute directly to the development of next-generation electric drivetrain systems.

Possible tasks within this role

• Investigating and evaluating various gallium nitride device technologies for application in automotive traction inverters
• Collaborating with semiconductor and power module manufacturers for technology characterization and performance assessment
• Designing, implementing, and validating automotive-grade gate-driver and device-protection concepts for GaN-based traction inverters
• Developing system integration concepts focusing on high power density, low parasitic inductance, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), thermal management, and overall converter performance
• Developing, testing, and characterizing a prototype demonstrator to validate the proposed concepts and design approaches

The final doctoral topic is defined together with the professor. The prerequisite for the cooperation is the confirmation of supervision as well as a confirmed delimitation of topics by the professor of a university or research institution entitled to confer a doctorate.

Qualification Requirements

• Good to very good university degree qualifying for doctoral studies in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Solid knowledge of power electronics and electric drive systems
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, or comparable circuit simulation tools, as well as PCB design and layout software
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively, combined with a high level of motivation and commitment
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills in an interdisciplinary environment

The following documents must be submitted with the application

• Curriculum Vitae
• Current transcript of records / Master’s or Diplom degree certificate

Keywords dissertation, concept validation, inverter design, wide-bandgap semiconductors, silicon carbide (SiC), power modules, high-voltage systems, electric drives, automotive powertrain