Research | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 97

PhD Engineering and Integration of Electrical Domain-Wall Memory Devices, Netherlands

The Department of Applied Physics at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) has a scientific and technical staff of about 90 and 60 people, respectively, as well as 110 graduate and 375 undergraduate students. The research in the group Mesoscopic Transport Phenomena focuses on fluid dynamics at length scales ranging from 10 nm to 1 mm. It comprises both fundamental and application-inspired topics ranging from fluid physics at nano-scales to manufacturing processes of optoelectronic devices. Current and commencing projects concern dip- and die-coating of chemically patterned substrates, flows driven by temperature and concentration gradients, flows dominated by van der Waals forces as well as flows involving phase changes.

Spin-torque based magnetic domain wall (DW) memories can offer large storage densities by storing multiple bits (domain walls) in a single magnetic nanowire. Stacking of the nanowires in a back-end-of-line (BEOL) process may even allow 3D integration. This project emphasizes the engineering and application aspects and focusses on key technological issues of magnetic domain walls such as thermal stability, stabilization of DWs at notches or other pinning centers, reproducibility of motion (influence of line-edge roughness, temperature dependence), critical current density, heating, high-frequency read and write elements, and how these evolve as dimensions are scaled towards sub-100 nm wires. TU/e will contribute by engineering novel materials, e.g. with perpendicular magnetization or low damping, allowing for a unique tunability of damping, spin polarization, and pinning potential, all crucial parameters for the efficiency of future DW memory devices.

Appointment and salary

We offer:

* A challenging job in a young, ambitious research team
* A highly dynamical, international, and multidisciplinary research environment
* A full-time appointment for four years (start date as soon as possible)
* Gross monthly salary from €2042 (first year) to €2612 (fourth year) in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities
* An attractive package of fringe benefits, including end-of-year allowance, a personal development program for Ph.D students (Proof program), and excellent sport facilities

Scholarship Application Deadline: 31/01/2011
Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD Positions at the International Max Planck Research School for Organismal Biology, Germany

The IMPRS is based in southern Germany and is jointly organized by The Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen and Radolfzell and the University of Konstanz. Outstanding students of all nationalities with a deep commitment to basic research in Organismal Biology are invited to apply.
More than 25 internationally recognized groups actively participate in the PhD program and offer challenging, cutting-edge PhD thesis projects in the fields of Animal Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology. For a list with PhD project suggestions visit www.uni-konstanz.de/organismal-biology/people-research/phdprojects.

All students accepted to the program will be supported by stipends. The program offers dedicated teaching programs, high quality research experience, and outstanding research facilities in an inspiring research and living environment. All courses are taught in English. Each PhD candidate receives individual supervision and mentoring and is guided in her/his research work by a PhD advisory committee.
Qualification Applicants should hold an MSc or equivalent degree in biology or a related discipline at the point of enrollment.
Queries should be mailed to the program office: IMPRS-at-uni-konstanz.de

Scholarship Application Deadline: January 15, 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Vrije University Brussel-Scholarships, Belgium: Biology

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel annually awards yearly a number of scholarships for advanced studies at Master or Advanced Master level. The selected scholarship programmes are characterized by the integration of education and research and a Master’s thesis. They cover at least one year of study and depending on the field of study some programmes may take two years.

Duration of the scholarship
Depending on the programme, scholarships have a maximum duration of 12 months for one-year programmes or 24 months for two-year programmes. Scholarships start earliest on 16 September of the reference year (X) and end latest 20 September (X+1) for one-year programmes and 20 September (X+2) for two year programmes. Scholars who fail their exams will not be entitled to extend the duration of their scholarship. If scholars participating in a two-year programme obtain less then 60 ECTS (credits) at the end of the first year, they will have their scholarship aborted, unless university authorities decide otherwise.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 31 January 2011
Further Scholarship Information and Application