Electronic and Electrical Engineering: Fully Funded Vishay PhD in Wide Bandgap High Voltage Power Management (RS877)

Funding provider: Vishay 

Subject area: Wide bandgap Power Semiconductor Devices for Power Electronics

Project start date: 1 October 2025 ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

Supervisors: Professor Mike Jennings

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Mode of study: Full Time 

Place of study: Swansea University /Electrical Engineering / CISM

Project description:

The project will work alongside Vishay Intertechnology, which brings together a number of world leaders in power semiconductors and energy conversion to develop solutions for automotive, aerospace, industrial and grid-level power electronics. The purpose is to improve the electric vehicles and the UKs energy infrastructure as we move into a low carbon economy. A paradigm shift in technology will be required in order to cope effectively with an ever-increasing amount of renewable energy being brought online. It is envisaged that other forms of renewable energy e.g. tidal, solar could also play a role alongside traditional coal fired power stations and nuclear energy generation. Revolutionary changes to power conversion is indispensable if these carbon emissions targets are to be met. The objective is to enable a step change in power conversion, transmission and distribution through power electronics based on new materials. At the heart of such systems are power semiconductor devices.

The advantages of wide bandgap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) for power electronic applications are well documented. Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging oxide semiconductor that has recently been identified as a promising candidate for power electronics and photovoltaics. There are very few reports on this exciting new material. This project is aimed at understanding the fundamental performance limit of Ga2O3 power devices through finite element modelling (electrical and thermal) and device fabrication aimed at both power electronics and photovoltaics. A self-motivated individual who will be based between the Faculty of Science and Engineering will conduct research into the latest gallium oxide power electronic devices. The research work will be undertaken in a state of the art, brand new Centre of Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) cleanroom. Read more details regarding this world-class facility.

UK fee-eligible applicants:

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales) 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page. 

English Language 
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees. An annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26) and an annual enhanced stipend of £2500. 

Additional research expenses will also be available. 

Funding Duration: 3 Years  

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS877 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS877 and 
  • the scholarship title.   
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case: 

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable). 
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert. 
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Mike Jennings m.r.jennings@swansea.ac.uk   

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.