Recruitment
Research Fields: Sustainable electronics, circular business models, social dimension in electronics
15 fully funded PhD positions in MSCA-DN Project FERNS
Are you interested in learning how to integrate eco-friendly design tools, materials, and fabrication technologies for the responsible co-creation electronics? Check out below our 15 fully funded PhD positions to work with leading European researchers to advance the frontiers of sustainable electronics
Recruiting organisations: The FERNS Doctoral Network is funded by the European Union and is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) programme. The network brings together an ecosystem of 12 cross-disciplinary research groups and 6 industry partners to train a new generation of industry-conscious thinkers and leaders who will influence the design and operation of future electronic systems in the fitness, medical and farming areas. It is a consortium of high-profile researchers from various universities, research institutions, and companies spanning 11 European countries (Finland, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, UK and Ireland). All academic and research institutions that will recruit DCs have all the academic, administrative, technical, and human resources staff needed to help the candidates as they advance their careers as scientists focused on energy systems.
Overview of the research training objectives. We offer exceptional opportunities for promising young students to work together on cutting-edge topics such as sustainable materials & fabrication in electronics, eco-design and co-design principles, social appropriation and circularity models to address the key challenges underpinning the field of sustainable electronics. The FERNS doctoral network will offer a research platform and training program for the Fellows to work across the disciplines of material science, engineering, social science and business with the ambition to enable the transition of electronic components and systems towards environmental sustainability.
Keywords: Sustainable electronics, business models, hybrid printing, social appropriation, co-creation, eco-design, Safe and Sustainable by Design, natural materials, printing electronics.
Career Stage: Doctoral Candidates (DCs). These are 3-year PhD positions open for graduate students (Master's or equivalent).
Application procedure for 15 PhD positions in the FERNS Project
All 15 PhD positions are described in detail here: DC-Research-Projects-list.pdf
All 15 PhD positions are listed below with their project-hosting institutions. A link to the application form is given next to the title of the project in the list below. This link will take you to the application portal of the project-hosting institution.
DR1 Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) on novel biodegradable polymers for the monitoring of humans and plants’ health status (Tyndall) | Application Closed
DR2 Sustainable self-powered sweat sensors and strategies for their incorporation into e-textiles (Tyndall) | Application Closed
DR3 Sustainable and smart ear tags for livestock localisation and monitoring (CSEM) | Apply here
DR4 Bioderived materials for the additive manufacturing of sustainable and biodegradable wearable electronics (RISE) | Apply here
DR5 Energy- and precision-aware computing for disposable sensors (QUB) | Apply here
DR6 Co-creation of circular economy strategies (QUB)
DR7 Development of wearable green electronics for electrophysiological sensing (NOVA-FCT) | Apply here
DR8 NOVA-FCT - Development of wearable green electronics for non-invasive electrochemical sensing (NOVA-FCT) | Apply here
DR9 Public acceptance and appropriation (BTU) | Apply here
DR10 Social sustainability dimensions for green electronics (BTU) | Apply here
DR11 Smart Sustainable E-Textile Fitness and Wellbeing Monitoring System (UoS) | Apply here
DR12 Printed non-toxic bioderived and biodegradable supercapacitors for low-power wearable and farming applications (TAU) | Apply here
DR13 Circular business model innovation for circular product service systems - with a focus on co-creation and testing with users/customers to ensure acceptance (TAU) | Apply here
DR14 Safe and Sustainably by Design for green electronics (EMPA) | Apply here
DR15 Sustainable plant and soil monitoring by wearable sensors (PoliTO) | Apply here
Candidates may submit applications to different institutions within the network. In this case, a list of preferences should be provided.
Eligibility criteria
The FERNS consortium invites applications of highly motivated, outstanding candidates, of any nationality, age and gender who respect all the following eligibility rules at the date of the Call deadline:
1.MSCA Eligibility requirements:
Applicants must satisfy the MSCA definition of Doctoral Candidates (DC):
The applicants should not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the time of the call deadline.
Candidates who have successfully defended their PhD thesis but have not received their degree will not be accepted.
2.MSCA Mobility requirements.
Applicants must not have lived or carried out their main activity in the main host and recruiting country for more than 12 months in the past 3 years immediately prior to the Call deadline.
3.FERNS Academic qualifications:
Applicants must hold a relevant Master's degree or equivalent at the time of the application. The educational background should fit with the required skills announced for each DC.
Exception: In case a candidate has not yet obtained their Master’s degree at the Call closing date (see individual project list), they can nevertheless apply. If a candidate is then part of the final ranking list and is selected for one of the FERNS positions, before being offered a contract of employment, he/she will be required to send to provide the Master’s degree certificate (or, alternatively, a formal preliminary certificate) before the starting date of the employment contract between March-May 2026.
4.FERNS Proof of English:
Applicants who are not native English speakers must provide proof of their English language capability as established via an internationally recognised test, such as IELTS: minimum 6.5 for PhD; TOEFL paper test: 550 (TWE 4); TOEFL internet test: 79 (R18, L17, S20, W17).
Alternatively, applicants have to prove to have a sufficient level of English (e.g., by providing a Master's certificate of bilingual studies or at least 3 years of English study in high school.
Benefits
Successful candidates will receive an attractive salary following the MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates. The exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on the host country (to allow for the difference in the cost of living in different EU Member States).
The salary includes a living allowance (€40.800/year *(correction factor to be applied per country)), a mobility allowance (€600), and a family allowance (if the recruited doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations during the duration of the fellowship).
The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all doctoral candidates will benefit from further training, which includes internships/secondments in relevant industry, a variety of training courses (including transferable skills), and active participation in workshops and conferences.
Selection Process
Candidates should apply electronically using the above link(s) indicated in the PhD position(s) of their interest.
Candidates should provide the following documents.
1. a detailed CV, including information on the candidate’s proficiency in English
2. a motivation letter
3. additional documents that could help to evaluate the applicants’ education/training (specified in the application portal of each institution, e.g. copies of bachelor's and/or master’s thesis, attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, links to software repositories with relevant projects).
The selected (short-listed) candidates will be
• Asked to provide two references, and
• Invited for an interview by the supervisors.
The final decision on whom to recruit will be made by the selection committee.