PhD (M/F) Phononic-crystal-based interposer for isolating MEMS from vibrations

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research organization in France is seeking a PhD candidate for a project focused on developing phononic crystals for MEMS applications. The role involves conducting simulations, developing fabrication processes, and integrating structures to enhance MEMS performance. Candidates must have a Master's degree in engineering or physics, with experience in numerical modeling preferred. This full-time position will commence on April 1, 2026, with a deadline for applications on December 22, 2025.

Qualifications

• Hold a Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in numerical modeling is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Conduct finite-element simulations on phononic crystals.
• Develop fabrication processes and manufacturing demonstrators.
• Integrate the interposer with MEMS sensors.

Connaissances

Data analysis

Numerical modeling

Formation

Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a related discipline

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Institut d'électronique, de microélectronique et de nanotechnologie Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Physics » Acoustics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 22 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This PhD project is part of a program funded by an ASIC agency focused on developing technologies for packaging in harsh environments. The French industry includes several sectors of excellence in the fields of aerospace and defense: naval vessels, aircraft, satellites, missiles. In these sectors, value chains require the availability of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) components whose performance is far superior to that of consumer-grade components. Transferring these high-performance components to aeronautical applications currently reveals a major obstacle: their ability to withstand harsh environments, including resistance to vibrations and shocks. One of the techniques considered to reduce this limitation is the insertion of an interposer incorporating phononic crystals between the sensitive element and the environment. Phononic crystals are assemblies of periodic materials that make it possible to manipulate mechanical waves in new ways, notably by creating frequency band gaps that prevent mechanical waves from propagating through structures. The objective of the PhD is to develop a phononic crystal that will be used to create an interposer for isolating a resonant MEMS and/or protecting it from vibrational environments. The interposer will include a network of structures acting as attenuators or reflectors to either limit external vibrations from interfering with the MEMS, or concentrate the MEMS vibration on the resonant system in order to improve its quality factor.

• Studying a phononic crystal adapted to a MEMS developed at ONERA (gyroscope or time base) using finite-element simulations.
• Developing fabrication processes as well as manufacturing demonstrators in a clean room.
• Fully integrating the interposer into a package with ONERA's MEMS sensors to produce a first complete demonstrator.
• This PhD project is part of an ASIC agency program dedicated to developing packaging technologies for harsh environments.

Required qualifications

The candidate will contribute to data analysis and interpretation, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of results at national and international conferences/meetings. The candidate must hold a Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a related discipline. Experience in numerical modeling is a plus.