Full-time study

4 years

doc. Ing. Lukáš Fujcik, Ph.D.

Chairman :
doc. Ing. Lukáš Fujcik, Ph.D.
Vice-chairman :
doc. Ing. Jiří Vaněk, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Pavel Koktavý, CSc. Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jaromír Hubálek, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Jiří Háze, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Petr Bača, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
prof. Ing. Josef Lazar, Dr.

The doctor study programme is devoted to the preparation of the high quality scientific and research specialists in various branches of microelectronics, electrotechnology and physics of materials, namely in theory, design and test of integrated circuits and systems, in semiconductor devices and structures, in smart sensors, in optoelectronics in materials and fabrication processes for electrical engineering, in sources of electric energy, nanotechnology and defectoscopy of materials and devices.
The aim is to provide the doctor education in all these particular branches to students educated in university magister study, to make deeper their theoretical knowledge, to give them also requisite special knowledge and practical skills and to teach them methods of scientific work.

The doctors of the program "Microelectronics and technology" are able to solve scientific and complex engineering tasks from the area of microelectronics and electrical technology. Wide fundamentals and deep theoretical basis of the study program bring high adaptability and high qualification of doctors for the most of requirements of their future creative practice in all areas of microelectronics and electrotechnology. Graduates are also equipped with the knowledge and experience from, in particular, physics of semiconductors, quantum electronics and will be able to independently solve problems associated with micro- and nanotechnologies.
The doctors are competent to work as scientists and researchers in many areas of basic research or research and development, as high-specialists in the development, design, construction, and application areas in many institutions, companies, and organisations of the electrical and electronics research, development, and industry as in the areas of electrical services and systems, inclusively in the special institutions of the state administration. In all of these branches they are able to work also as the leading scientific-, research-, development- or technical managers.

Graduate of a doctoral program "Microelectronics and technology" is able to solve complex and time-consuming tasks in areas such as designer of integrated and/or electronic circuits and complex electronic devices. Graduate has a very good knowledge of the field of modern materials for electronics and their use in the electrical industry. Graduate is also able to orient himself in the field of physics of materials and components, nanotechnology and others.
This means that the graduate will be able to become a member of the development team of integrated circuits, complex electronic devices and equipment, their testing and service. In addition, graduate would be as a technologist in the electronic components fabrication process, a researcher in the field of material engineering for the electrical industry, a scientist n basic or applied research and in the introduction, implementation and application of new prospective and economically beneficial procedures and processes in the field of electronics, electrical engineering, non-destructive testing and reliability and material analysis. Likewise, graduate is also able to lead the entire team of workers in presented areas.
A typical employer of a graduate of the Microelectronics and Technology study program is a manufacturing and / or research enterprise that focuses on the areas mentioned above. Another possible employer may be a research organization i.e. the Institute of the Czech Academy of Science. The graduate finds his / her application also on the university campus as an academic at the position of a professional assistant.

Doctoral studies are carried out according to the individual study plan, which will prepare the doctoral student in cooperation with the doctoral student at the beginning of the study. The individual study plan specifies all the duties stipulated in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Rules, which the doctoral student must fulfill to successfully finish his studies. These responsibilities are time-bound throughout the study period, they are scored and fixed at fixed deadlines. The student enrolls and performs tests of compulsory coursed. Additionally, with regard to the focus of dissertation it is compulsory to enroll and pass at least one of the following courses: Modern microelectronic systems; Electrotechnical materials, material systems and production processes; and/or Interfaces and nanostructures; and other obligatory elective subjects with regard to the focus of his dissertation, and at least two elective courses (English for PhD students, Solutions for Innovative Entries, Scientific Publishing from A to Z).
The student may enroll for the state doctoral exam only after all the tests prescribed by his / her individual study plan have been completed. Before the state doctoral exam, the student prepares a dissertation thesis describing in detail the goals of the thesis, a thorough evaluation of the state of knowledge in the area of the dissertation solved, or the characteristics of the methods it intends to apply in the solution. The defense of the controversy that is opposed is part of the state doctoral exam. In the next part of the exam the student must demonstrate deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of microelectronics, electrotechnology, materials physics, nanotechnology, electrical engineering, electronics, circuit theory. The State Doctoral Examination is in oral form and, in addition to the discussion on the dissertation thesis, it also consists of thematic areas related to compulsory and compulsory elective subjects.
To defend the dissertation, the student reports after the state doctoral examination and after fulfilling conditions for termination, such as participation in teaching, scientific and professional activity (creative activity) and at least a monthly study or work placement at a foreign institution or participation in an international creative project.

The doctoral studies of a student follow the Individual Study Plan (ISP), which is defined by the supervisor and the student at the beginning of the study period. The ISP is obligatory for the student, and specifies all duties being consistent with the Study and Examination Rules of BUT, which the student must successfully fulfill by the end of the study period. The duties are distributed throughout the whole study period, scored by credits/points and checked in defined dates. The current point evaluation of all activities of the student is summarized in the “Total point rating of doctoral student” document and is part of the ISP. At the beginning of the next study year the supervisor highlights eventual changes in ISP. By October, 15 of each study year the student submits the printed and signed ISP to Science Department of the faculty to check and archive.
Within the first four semesters the student passes the exams of compulsory, optional-specialized and/or optional-general courses to fulfill the score limit in Study area, and concurrently the student significantly deals with the study and analysis of the knowledge specific for the field defined by the dissertation thesis theme and also continuously deals with publishing these observations and own results. In the follow-up semesters the student focuses already more to the research and development that is linked to the dissertation thesis topic and to publishing the reached results and compilation of the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the second year of studies the student passes the Doctor State Exam, where the student proves the wide overview and deep knowledge in the field linked to the dissertation thesis topic. The student must apply for this exam by April, 30 in the second year of studies. Before the Doctor State Exam the student must successfully pass the exam from English language course.
In the third and fourth year of studies the student deals with the required research activities, publishes the reached results and compiles the dissertation thesis. As part of the study duties is also completing a study period at an abroad institution or participation on an international research project with results being published or presented in abroad or another form of direct participation of the student on an international cooperation activity, which must be proved by the date of submitting the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the winter term in the fourth year of study the students submit the elaborated dissertation thesis to the supervisor, who scores this elaborate. The final dissertation thesis is expected to be submitted by the student by the end of the fourth year of the studies.
In full-time study form, during the study period the student is obliged to pass a pedagogical practice, i.e. participate in the education process. The participation of the student in the pedagogical activities is part of his/her research preparations. By the pedagogical practice the student gains experience in passing the knowledge and improves the presentation skills. The pedagogical practice load (exercises, laboratories, project supervision etc.) of the student is specified by the head of the department based on the agreement with the student’s supervisor. The duty of pedagogical practice does not apply to students-payers and combined study program students. The involvement of the student in the education process within the pedagogical practice is confirmed by the supervisor in the Information System of the university.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2026 to 30.04.2026)

1. Absorption properties of thermal plasma

   Radiative energy transfer plays an important role in many technological devices using plasma processes. Experimental monitoring is very difficult, therefore mathematical modeling is often used. Knowledge of the absorption properties of plasma is necessary for theoretical modeling. The aim of the work is to develop a spectroscopic database for simulating the emission and absorption spectra of various substances for a wide range of temperatures and pressures. To supplement and expand the data from available databases with own calculations. To create one's own database in the form of input files for further computer processing.

   Supervisor: Bartlová Milada, doc. RNDr., Ph.D.

2. AI-driven experiment: design of an autonomous system for intelligent measurement and analysis of voltage and current fluctuations in sensors

   The aim of this dissertation is the development of an intelligent autonomous system that uses artificial intelligence methods for the design, control and evaluation of noise measurements in sensor structures. The work combines low-frequency noise spectroscopy with modern machine learning and active learning techniques , thus enabling the design of experiments with maximum information gain. The system will be able to analyze the output noise signals, formulate hypotheses about noise mechanisms, optimize measurement parameters and independently control further experimental steps. The result is an intelligent measurement platform - the basis for future autonomous laboratories focused on advanced sensor characterization. Objectives - Design and implement AI methods for identifying noise components and correlating them with physical phenomena in sensors. - Develop a system for active design of experiments - selecting measurement conditions based on predictive models (e.g. Bayesian optimization). - Verify the system's functionality on real noise data in different sensor structures (e.g. OECT, electrochemical sensors). - Evaluate the benefit of AI control over the classical approach to experimental design.

   Supervisor: Sedlák Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Air/vacuum channel transistors and their electrical characterisation

   The motivation for this work is the development of vacuum nanoelectronics, which are set for a rocket rise in this decade. The aim of this work is to gain a deep understanding of the mechanism of electric charge transport in air/vacuum channel transistors. The work includes the design of these nanostructures in collaboration with the Institute of Instrumentation of the CAS, where these transistors are being prepared.

   Supervisor: Sedlák Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Alloy anode materials for Na-ion batteries

   The dissertation thesis is focused on the field of alloy-based anode materials for Na-ion batteries. The work includes the preparation and fabrication of composite electrodes, their testing, and material characterization. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the influence of structural modification on the overall electrochemical performance and cycle life of the anode within the sodium-based system.

   Supervisor: Bača Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Determining the effect of unknown load on the battery during operation

   The work will focus on studying the effect of different types of load (higher/lower temperature, upper/lower operating window overlap, higher load) on the operating characteristics of the battery. Li-ion batteries with different electrode chemistries will be tested and will experience the above mentioned loads in addition to standard cycling. Subsequently, the effect of these loads on the operating characteristics of the batteries will be monitored and a model predicting the characteristics of the selected batteries in case they experience a certain type of load or combination of loads will be built using machine learning, which can be used to determine the load to which an unknown battery has been subjected during its operation.

   Supervisor: Kazda Tomáš, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Dielectric spectroscopy of ceramic powders

   The thesis deals with various methods of measuring the dielectric constant and dielectric loss on ceramic powders. This is a rather complex task and will be based on two existing measurement methods. The first method is based on the mixing rule of ceramic powder with epoxy, and the second method is based on dielectro-phoretic principle. However, the results obtained by both methods are speculative and an effort is made to find a new measurement technique or to modify these already known methods.

   Supervisor: Holcman Vladimír, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries

   The thesis will focus on research and development in the field of electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries. The aim is to synthesise and electrochemically characterise electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries based on sodium, nickel and manganese compounds or organic waste materials. The properties of these materials will then be optimised to achieve the best possible electrochemical performance in terms of capacity, charge/discharge cycling capability and longevity.

   Supervisor: Kazda Tomáš, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

8. New approaches in the characterization of charge transport in electrochemical transistors

   The thesis is focused on the study of new unorthodox approaches, based also on machine learning, to evaluate physical measurements of transport characteristics in electrochemical transistors based on ionic liquid as well as in graphene transistors. In addition to the conventional characterization, the fluctuation of charge carrier transport will be emphasized. The organic samples are prepared at ZČU in Pilsen, where the thesis is going to be based on a long-term cooperation between the departments. Graphene samples are prepared at UFYZ. The student working on this topic is going to be involved in fundamental and applied research projects running at UFYZ with appropriate financial remuneration, in the amount of 1.25 times the minimum wage.

   Supervisor: Sedlák Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

9. New electrode materials for electrochemical power sources

   The aim of the work will be the preparation and characterization of new electrode materials, particularly for post-lithium-ion batteries, such as sodium-ion batteries and lithium–sulfur batteries. Advanced imaging methods will be used for the characterization of these materials.

   Supervisor: Bača Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. Preparation and characterization of heterostructured 1D materials intended for gas detection.

    Preparation and characterization of heterostructured 1D materials based on semiconductor–metal systems such as WO₃–, SnO₂–(Pt, Ag, Pd), nanostructured transition metals (Ta, Nb, Ti, W), or ultrathin 2D oxides (TiO₂, HfO₂, etc.) and metal sulfides (MoS₂) will be the focus of the doctoral thesis. The thesis will also involve practical testing of the fabricated detectors in various gases, e.g., H₂, CH₄, NOₓ, etc., as well as the development of a concept for a new gas sensor by combining existing technologies.

    The semiconductor materials and their junctions will be analyzed, for example, using the EBIC method, which employs a focused SEM electron beam to generate electron–hole pairs within the semiconductor. An appropriate contacting strategy will be optimized to prevent damage to freestanding nanowires on the chip, and measurements using four‑point probing will also be refined. This research is relevant for the development of new electronic components, particularly gas sensors, due to their high surface‑to‑volume ratio.

    In cooperation with universities in Taiwan, the student will undertake a long‑term internship in Taiwan and will receive a salary funded by the ACDRC project.

    Supervisor: Šimůnková Helena, Dr.techn. Ing.

11. Recycling of cathode materials for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries

    The work will focus on the direct recycling of positive electrode materials for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. As part of this, the student will study current recycling processes, particularly from the perspective of direct recycling for Li-ion and Na-ion battery cathodes, with a focus on those based on phosphates. The thesis will cover the ageing of commercial batteries to obtain materials for the recycling process. The student will then focus on identifying the most effective method of extracting active material from the current collector without significantly damaging its structure. Furthermore, the research will focus on identifying the optimal method of directly recycling electrode materials in order to restore their original electrochemical properties as much as possible. The project will also involve investigating the potential for upcycling these materials into new types of electrode materials.

    Supervisor: Kazda Tomáš, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

12. Simulation and Data Analysis of the Response of Sintered Joints for Laser-Based Defect Diagnostics

    The dissertation focuses on the investigation of the physical behaviour of sintered joints in power electronic assemblies under short‑time laser excitation and on their evaluation using numerical and data‑driven methods. The aim of the work is to develop an advanced multiphysics simulation model that captures transient heat transfer, thermomechanical response, and surface deformation in the joint region. The model will employ effective material properties derived from the characterization of porosity and defects, enabling the analysis of how these microstructural features influence the joint’s response to laser loading.

    The research further includes the comparison of simulated results with experimental laser‑based diagnostic measurements, the interpretation of the underlying physical mechanisms responsible for the measured signal, and the identification of parameters that enhance the sensitivity of defect detection. The outcome will be a methodological framework that integrates multiphysics modelling, experimental validation, and analytical data evaluation, contributing to the advancement of modern non‑destructive testing techniques for quality control of sintered joints in power electronics.

    Supervisor: Vyroubal Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

13. Study of the properties of soldered and sintered joints using advanced characterization methods

    The work will focus on the use of advanced imaging methods and the analysis of the resulting image data to establish correlations between the structural, electrical, and mechanical properties of a new interconnection technology—sintered joints. Optionally, this approach will also be applied to the study of soldered joints and to compare the properties of soldered and sintered connections.

    Supervisor: Bača Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

14. The influence of modern nucleating agents on the polymorphism of nanofibrous hybrid systems

    The control of nucleation processes represents a fundamental tool for the targeted alteration of polymer chain alignment within hybrid systems. The stabilization of specific crystalline phases enables the transformation of conventional polymers into structurally defined materials with high sensitivity to external stimuli.

    The aim of this thesis is a systematic investigation into the influence of modern nucleating agents (e.g., 2D materials, perovskites, POSS, or ionic liquids) on crystallization processes and the resulting polymorphism in PVDF-based nanofibrous hybrid systems. The research will focus on the interaction between these advanced additives and the polymer matrix, aiming for the controlled formation of specific structural phases during the electrospinning process. A key component of the work will be a comprehensive characterization of the phase composition and internal arrangement of the prepared structures to clarify the relationships between crystalline modification and functional properties (specifically piezoelectric, dielectric, and transport properties). The expected outcome is the determination of polymorphism control mechanisms for innovative applications in the fields of sensing, energy harvesting, and advanced filtration.

    Supervisor: Holcman Vladimír, doc. Ing., Ph.D.