Two-year Postdoctoral Position on Spintronics for Advanced Computing: Spintronic Device Fabrication, Characterization and Advanced Computing

The Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a 2-year position as a postdoctoral researcher within spintronic computing. The position offers an exciting opportunity to advance spintronics through device physics, simulation, fabrication, experimental characterization, and integration of spintronic devices for advanced computing applications.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to investigate, design, fabricate, and characterize spintronic devices, with particular emphasis on Anisotropic Magnetoresistance (AMR), Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR), and Tunneling Magneto Resistance (TMR) devices. The work will combine magnetic and spintronic device physics, materials and multilayer structures, device fabrication, electrical measurement, modelling, and data analysis, with the aim of developing reliable spintronic technologies for advanced computing and emerging semiconductor applications.

The research will focus on understanding, controlling, and exploiting thermal fluctuations and stochastic switching in MTJs for physical entropy generation and energy-efficient computing, with particular emphasis on True Random Number Generators (TRNGs) and Stochastic Neural Accelerators (SNAs).

The successful candidate will work on the physics-based design, modelling, simulation, fabrication, and experimental characterization of spintronic devices and their integration into advanced computing systems. The position also includes a role in the Danish Chips Competence Center, where the candidate will contribute to connecting the Danish semiconductor and spintronics ecosystem with relevant EU pilot lines, facilitating collaboration, technology development, prototyping, and access to European semiconductor fabrication capabilities. The candidate will also contribute to preparing and writing research proposals and funding applications related to spintronics, semiconductor technologies, and advanced computing.

As a spintronic postdoc, you are expected to:

• Perform atomistic and micromagnetic simulations of s-MTJ structures and magnetization dynamics to investigate switching mechanisms, thermal activation, stochasticity, variability, and operating conditions relevant to TRNG and SNA applications.
• Contribute to the electrical, magnetic, and transport characterization of fabricated AMR, GMR, and TMR devices, including resistance states, magnetoresistance, switching behaviour, current/voltage dependence, temperature dependence, and device-to-device variability, and correlate experimental results with modelling and simulation.

What we offer

• A stimulating research environment within SDU Microelectronics, a growing section integrating expertise in analog/digital IC design, spintronics, advanced computing, semiconductor technologies, and energy-efficient system architectures.
• Access to advanced facilities and infrastructure for spintronic device design, fabrication, electrical and magnetic characterization, and system prototyping, together with opportunities to collaborate with relevant Danish and European pilot-line and semiconductor facilities.
• Excellent opportunities for collaboration across SDU and with national and international academic and industrial partners in microelectronics, semiconductor technology, photonics, spintronics, and advanced computing, including activities connecting the Danish ecosystem with EU pilot lines.
• An open and collaborative research culture within SDU’s Faculty of Engineering (TEK), The Mads Clausen Institute (MCI), promoting interdisciplinary innovation across electronics, materials science, semiconductor processing, spintronics, and artificial intelligence.

What we expect

Applicants should hold a PhD in Electronic and Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field (the degree should have been completed within the last 6 years at most):

• Expertise in spintronics, magnetism, magnetic device physics, or related areas, with demonstrated experience in physics-based modelling and/or simulation of magnetic or spintronic devices. Experience with s-MTJ devices, stochastic magnetization dynamics, or thermal switching is highly desirable and electrical modeling of sMTJs using Verilog to be used in Cadense
• Experience with experimental characterization of AMR, GMR, MTJ, or related spintronic devices, including electrical and magnetic measurements, resistance and magnetoresistance characterization, switching behaviour, and data analysis. Experience with pilot-line activities, technology transfer, or collaboration with semiconductor foundries is an advantage.
• A strong research track record demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and the ability to work effectively in collaborative research environments. Experience in writing research proposals, funding applications, or project plans is highly desirable.
• Team player with strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with academic, industrial, and technology-development partners across Denmark and Europe.

All candidates must demonstrate excellent verbal and written English skills, along with very good communication abilities and the ability to communicate technical results to multidisciplinary and international partners.

Workplace description

The successful candidate will join SDU Microelectronics, a dynamic and expanding section at the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME). The section conducts internationally recognized research in integrated circuits, semiconductor technologies, spintronics, photonics, and advanced computing, and plays a central role in SDU’s ambition to be a national and European hub for semiconductor and chip innovation. Within the DKCCC project, the candidate will contribute to strengthening connections between the Danish ecosystem and EU pilot lines and to translating spintronic device research into fabrication, prototyping, and technology-development activities.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Farshad Moradi ([email protected] / email), Head of the SDU Microelectronics section and Associate Professor Hooman Farkhani ([email protected] / email), Deputy Head of SDU Microelectronics.

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).
• Complete list of publications.
• Publications most relevant to the position.
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching, if relevant to the position.
• A research statement may be included.
• References/reference letters may also be included.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Employment terms

Appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 2-year period, and the preferred start date is from January 10, 2027. Extension may be possible depending on available funding.

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described therein.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary. Further information on salary and taxation.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.