Chalmers has announced this year’s general PhD intake in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies. We strongly encourage interested candidates to apply and mark our research group as a group of interest. To apply for the general intake PhD positions, please visit Chalmers’ official recruitment portal: Doctoral students in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies.
Beyond the currently advertised positions, we are always happy to hear from motivated students and researchers who enjoy the kind of work we do. Whether you are interested in PhD or postdoctoral role, a master’s thesis project or a student research assistant position, you are very welcome to contact us at anton.persson@chalmers.se.
Because we receive many inquiries, we kindly ask you to read the Frequently Asked Questions here before writing. This helps us keep the process fair and ensures that your message gets the attention it deserves.
Do you accept international applicants for thesis, PhD, or postdoc?
Yes! Our division currently has students and researchers from more than ten countries, and this number continues to grow. You will join a diverse and international community in a very international department. You can see our current staff here: Staff at Microwave Electronics.
Is English enough, or do I need to learn Swedish?
Our working language is English, and you are not required to speak Swedish at any time during your studies or employment. Day-to-day discussions, group meetings, and documentation are all in English. Sweden has one of the highest English proficiencies in the world, and for those who are interested, Chalmers offers free, optional Swedish courses for employees and students.
What's the quality of life for a Chalmers employee?
This is of course highly individual, but Chalmers and Sweden are in general highly competitive when compared internationally. You would live in a country consistently ranked among the best in the world for quality of life, which also extends to academia with the 'Nordic niceness' having the highest PhD student satisfaction in the world. Salaries are combined with extensive social benefits, including but not limited to government-funded universal healthcare, world-leading parental leave policies, highly subsidized childcare, free education for dependent children, and pension contributions. We encourage potential applicants to read more about working in Sweden and to compare these benefits globally.
Any further benefits?
Of course! You can read more about it here: Benefits and conditions. But the short answer is that Chalmers offer generous paid vacation, the possibility for flexible working hours, yearly wellness allowance, paid sick leave, and insurance.
How innovative/entrepreneurship-friendly is Sweden?
Sweden consistently ranks among the most innovative countries in the world, in 2025 placed #2 globally. A particularly unique feature is Sweden’s “Teacher’s Exemption” (Lärarundantaget), which means that academic researchers, not the university, typically own the rights to their own inventions. This gives control over patentable results you produce at Chalmers and the freedom to pursue commercialization, licensing, or future start-ups if you wish. The policy offers a world-leading advantage that is rare in academia internationally. Also, Chalmers actively supports researchers who want to explore entrepreneurship through its incubator Chalmers Ventures.
How often do you recruit PhD students?
Group-specific PhD recruitment varies from year to year depending on funding and project timelines. At a minimum, Chalmers runs an annual general PhD intake through the Nano Area of Advance, typically announced at the beginning of the year with an application deadline in mid-March. If you are interested in joining our group through this general intake, we encourage you to contact us in advance. Group-specific PhD positions are advertised whenever funding becomes available. All positions, both general intake and group-specific are announced on Chalmers’ vacancies page.
Can I apply in another way than through the official application system?
No! All applications must be submitted exclusively through Chalmers' official recruitment portal linked in the job advertisement. We are only able to consider applications that have been formally received via that system. If you see the advertisement on another platform (e.g., LinkedIn or other job sites), always refer to the official Chalmers advertisement for the correct instructions and application link.
What educational backgrounds are suitable?
We mainly welcome students with degrees in Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Nanotechnology, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, or similar. A strong interest in semiconductors, electronics, and/or nanotechnology is more important than ticking every possible course box.
Should I apply even if my background is not a perfect fit?
Yes! Nobody has a “perfect” background. A strong overall track record and clear motivation often matter more than precise prior experience. A PhD is long, and you will have plenty of time to learn new skills.
Can we book in a meeting to discuss the announced position?
We get many such requests. To keep the process fair and manageable, we typically only meet those candidates who have been shortlisted through the formal application process.
Should I contact you even if no PhD position is advertised?
Yes! If you’ve read this far, a proactive email is likely a good idea to make us know that you are interested. Sometimes new positions are being prepared long before they’re formally announced. Even if no position is open today, your profile may match an upcoming project. Please send your CV (as a PDF), a recent transcript (unofficial is fine), your expected graduation date, your preferred starting period and a short summary of your interests and any relevant project or thesis work to anton.persson@chalmers.se.
Do PhD students pay tuition fees?
No! At Chalmers, PhD candidates are employed. You receive a monthly salary and full employee benefits. There are no tuition fees for doctoral studies.
Is the PhD funding at risk?
No! All PhD positions are fully funded from the start.
Do I need previous experience with cleanroom work or electrical measurements?
No! Prior experience in nanofabrication, electrical characterization, or device simulations is helpful but not required. Specialized skills can and will be learned during your PhD project.
How is the group run? What supervision can I expect as a PhD student?
We aim for a balance between independence and support. In practice, you can expect regular one-to-one meetings with Anton, weekly group meetings where results and papers are discussed, and day-to-day interaction with other PhD students, postdocs, and master’s students in our group. You will also work closely with the professional staff in the Nanofabrication Laboratory, the Kollberg Laboratory, and Chalmers Materials Analysis Laboratory, who provide the hands-on training for most equipment. Supervision is more hands-on in the beginning when you are new to the lab and becomes more independent as you gain experience.
How long is a typical PhD?
A PhD in our group typically takes about five years to complete. A PhD position at Chalmers is typically ~60% research, ~20% coursework, and up to 20% departmental duties, such as teaching exercise sessions, supervising labs, or helping with other tasks that support the department.
How do you publish?
We aim to publish in leading journals and conferences in semiconductor devices and materials science, including but not limited to IEEE journals and conferences, ACS journals, and Nature and Science journals. In Sweden, PhD students are expected to achieve a level of research impact that enables them to publish several peer-reviewed papers during their doctoral studies, and this is typically very attainable for motivated students. Junior PhD students in our group receive close guidance throughout the publishing process, from experiment design and data analysis to writing and revision, with increasing independence expected as they progress. Our goal is to help you build an internationally competitive publication record and develop into an independent researcher.
Will I have opportunities for travel and conferences?
Yes! As your project progresses, it is our goal that you will present your research at major international conferences all across the world.
Is it possible to work remotely?
Some parts of the work, e.g., reading, writing, data analysis, and simulations, can be done remotely. However, most projects involve lab work, so you will spend a great majority of your time on campus.
What's the salary?
Comparing salaries across countries is much harder than it initially may seem, but you can expect to live relatively comfortably on a Chalmers PhD salary. As a benchmark, the PhD student salary is close to the median salary in Sweden, which is a good indication that you should be able to manage everyday life without difficulty. For the most current and personal perspective, we encourage you to speak with our current PhD students during the interview stage. They can give you a realistic sense of what day-to-day life in Gothenburg is like on a PhD income.
Further benefits?
As a PhD student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
What support is available for underrepresented groups?
Equal opportunity, inclusion, and fairness are central values in our group. We work intentionally to create a supportive environment where women, LGBTQ+ researchers, international scholars, first-generation students, and other underrepresented or minority groups can thrive academically and personally. At the institutional level, Chalmers is strongly committed to equity and diversity, and Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s most gender-equal and LGBTQ+-inclusive countries. Through the university-wide GENIE initiative, Chalmers offers dedicated mentorship, career-development programs, and long-term support aimed at strengthening the careers of women and other underrepresented groups in research.
How often do you recruit postdocs?
Recruitment depends on funding and timing. All Chalmers funded positions are posted on Chalmers’ vacancies page. However, new roles are often under preparation long before they are advertised, and co-funded arrangements may be possible. If you are interested in joining us, you are welcome to send your CV (PDF) and a short message outlining your background, research interests, and how you see them aligning with our group’s activities.
Can I get support for applying to postdoc fellowships to finance my postdoc?
Yes! For strong candidates, we are happy to support applications to various postdoctoral fellowships, e.g., the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Postdoctoral Fellowships or national and private foundations. Co-funding arrangements with other Chalmers groups may also be possible. Candidates who bring external funding (fully or partially) are particularly welcome to discuss opportunities.
What backgrounds are suitable?
We look for candidates who have (or are close to finishing) a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. electrical engineering, applied physics, material science, nanotechnology) and who has shown a strong track record of high-quality research. Typically with publications in journals and conferences relevant to our group. You should demonstrate clear overlap with our research directions and the ability to bring something new.
Do I need to have my PhD already completed before starting?
You should normally have defended your PhD by the time you start the postdoc. However, it is common to discuss and even sign a contract before the formal defense, as long as the timeline is clear.
Will I supervise students as a postdoc?
Most likely yes. Postdocs in our group are expected to be realatively independent and often co-supervise M.Sc. thesis students and/or PhD students in areas where they have expertise. This is an excellent way to build teaching, supervision, and leadership experience.
Is it possible to work remotely?
Some parts of the work, e.g., reading, writing, data analysis, and simulations, can be done remotely. However, most projects involve lab work, so you will spend a great majority of your time on campus.
What's the salary?
Comparing salaries across countries is difficult, but you can expect to live comfortably on a Chalmers postdoc salary. As a benchmark, postdoc salaries are higher than the median salary in Sweden, which is a good indication that you should be able to manage everyday life with relative ease. For the most current and personal perspective, we encourage you to speak with our current postdocs during the interview stage. They can give you a realistic sense of what day-to-day life in Gothenburg is like on a PhD income.
Further benefits?
As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
Will I have opportunities to travel and present my research?
Yes! You are encouraged to take the opportunity to present your results at major international conferences.
Is Sweden a good place for families?
Yes! Sweden is consistently ranked among the world’s best countries for families. You would have access to world-leading parental leave policies, highly subsidized childcare, and free education for dependent children. Several international preschools operate across Gothenburg and the International School of the Gothenburg Region (ISGR) is located within walking distance of campus.
What visa is required?
Chalmers will assist you with the process, but at the time of writing, non-EU postdocs typically apply for a residence permit for research. This permit allows you to live and work in Sweden during your postdoc, bring your family, and gives your partner full work rights in Sweden. Normally, it takes less than a month to obtain it.
What support is available for underrepresented groups?
Equal opportunity, inclusion, and fairness are central values in our group. We work intentionally to create a supportive environment where women, LGBTQ+ researchers, international scholars, first-generation students, and other underrepresented or minority groups can thrive academically and personally. At the institutional level, Chalmers is strongly committed to equity and diversity, and Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s most gender-equal and LGBTQ+-inclusive countries. Through the university-wide GENIE initiative, Chalmers offers dedicated mentorship, career-development programs, and long-term support aimed at strengthening the careers of women and other underrepresented groups in research.
Are thesis projects always available?
Yes! We host both full-year and half-year M.Sc. thesis projects. The exact topics evolve quickly as our research progresses, so the best way to learn about current opportunities is simply to contact us at anton.persson@chalmers.se.
What skills will I gain?
You will gain hands-on experience with methods and equipment used at the forefront of semiconductor and nanotechnology research. Thesis students use the same advanced electrical measurement equipment, cleanroom tools, and simulation frameworks as our senior scientists.
Will my work contribute to real research?
Yes! Thesis projects in our group connect directly to active research, and our goal is that your results become part of what we present at leading international conferences and publish in scientific journals. Your work will be meaningful, technically relevant, and integrated into the group’s broader scientific efforts.
How far in advance should I reach out?
The earlier the better! Cleanroom access requires mandatory safety training, and good projects take time to shape. Students who contact us 6+ months in advance may sometimes be offered a student research assistant position to get started early.
Are projects mainly experimental or simulation-based?
We do both, but nanofabrication and/or electrical measurements are more common. The exact balance will be tailored to your skills and interests.
Can I propose my own idea?
Yes! You are welcome to suggest your own idea as long as it relates to our research directions. Industry-based theses usually begin this way. However, the strongest projects typically grow out of ongoing research in the group, where the infrastructure is already established.
What does a thesis student’s week look like?
Often a combination of lab work (electrical measurements or cleanroom) and data analysis. Weekly meetings with Anton and daily interaction with other group members. You will get close supervision at the start and gradually gain independence as you gain experience.
Will I be part of the research group?
Yes! Thesis students are fully integrated into the group. If you want, you can participate in group meetings, discussions, and lab activities. Many students appreciate the collaborative environment and the chance to work in closely with our researchers.
What should I include when I email about a thesis project?
A good first email includes a short email explaining who you are, whether you want to pursue a full-year or half-year thesis, a recent transcript, your planned thesis project start date, and whether you are more interested in electrical measurements, nanofabrication, simulations, or a mix.
Can my M.Sc. thesis lead to a PhD position in the group?
It is possible. Doing a thesis with us helps both sides evaluate the fit and thesis students are often strong PhD candidates. However, PhD positions are competitive and depend on funding and timing, so there is never a guarantee.
Can I do a thesis while based at another university or company?
Sometimes, yes. Co-supervised theses with industry or other universities are possible but must be discussed case-by-case.
Is it possible to work remotely?
Some parts of the work, e.g., reading, writing, data analysis, and simulations, can be done remotely. However, most projects involve lab work, so you will spend a great majority of your time on campus.
What does a student research assistant do?
Student research assistants contribute to ongoing research projects led by our senior researchers. Typical tasks include advanced electrical measurements, data analysis, and supporting device simulations and modelling. For master-level students preparing for an M.Sc. thesis with us, tasks may also include cleanroom nanofabrication. Your exact responsibilities depend on your background and the needs of active projects. The goal is that you gradually take on more advanced tasks as your skills grow.
What kind of students thrive in this role?
These positions are best suited for highly motivated students with a strong interest in taking an active role in research. Our goal is that your research become part of what we present at leading international conferences and publish in scientific journals. If this excites you, you will fit well in the group and should contact us on anton.persson@chalmers.se.
What will I learn as a research assistant?
You will gain experience that goes far beyond typical coursework. Hands-on work with advanced electrical measurement equipment and nanofabrication tools as well as exposure to modern simulation and modeling tools.
Does this help with future career paths?
Absolutely! Research assistant experience stands out strongly in applications for competitive PhD programs (at Chalmers or internationally) and for research and development positions in industry.
Anton began his research career as a student research assistant and it strongly shaped his research path from Lund via Stanford to a professorship at Chalmers.
Who is eligible?
You must be a registered Chalmers student during the employment period and able to commit enough time alongside your courses.
When is a good time in my studies to apply for a research assistant position?
You can in principle apply at any stage, but realistically it is easier to contribute meaningfully after you have completed some core courses in physics, electronics, or materials. A natural entry point is often after finishing your B.Sc. thesis or early in your master’s studies, especially if you are considering doing your M.Sc. thesis in our group.
Do I need previous experience?
No! Experimental experience (lab courses, projects) and programming skills are helpful, but not required. We will start with simpler tasks and gradually increase responsibility as you learn.
How many hours per week do student research assistants usually work?
During the semester, research assistants work part-time, often one day per week, depending on your course load and the project. During summer and breaks, positions can be full-time, provided funding and supervision capacity are available.
Can I be both a research assistant and a thesis student?
Yes, and it is encouraged! Starting as a student research assistant is a great way to get to know the lab, methods, and people before starting your M.Sc. thesis project with us.
Are these positions paid?
Yes! Student Research Assistant positions are paid university employments with salary levels set by Chalmers guidelines. But the real value lies in the research experience. Student research assistants gain skills and responsibilities that are impossible to obtain through coursework alone, and this experience is often a major advantage when applying for PhD positions and industry roles.
Do you offer summer projects?
Yes, but mainly for students who are already known to the group, either through a thesis or a previous research assistant position. Because supervision is limited during the summer due to vacations, we do not take in new research assistants during that period. If you are interested in a summer position, contact Anton well in advance, ideally early in the spring or even in the winter.
