PhD student - Electrical Vehicle Battery Sensor project (Electrical Engineer)

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Master's in Applied Science candidate to work within the Electrical Vehicle Battery Sensor Project. Through this research, the student will have access to state-of-art facilities provided by the the Sensors and Integrated Microsystems Laboratory (SIMSLab) and other facilities at the University of Waterloo, including the Giga-to-nano (G2N) Lab, the The Center for Integrated RF Engineering (CIRFE) Lab, and the Quantum Nano Centre (QNC) NanoFabrication Center. Opportunities for traveling to conferences and publishing in high level journals exist and are encouraged. We encourage a highly innovative, fun, creative, and collaborative research environment with many learning and networking opportunities.

The SIMSLab provides an excellent environment to gain valuable skills and experience. Previous students have gone on to work at Abbot, Research in Motion (RIM), Harvard, Berkeley, the Canadian Standards Agency, University of British Columbia, McGill University, and others.

Activities may include

  • Developing signal acquisition unit for both battery state of charge monitoring and temperature
  • Developing algorithms for sensor signal processing to output state of charge and state of health
  • Developing a battery management system for multi-battery system
  • Design and simulation of sensors using various software packages such as COMSOL, CST MWS, ANSYS, and matrix laboratory (MATLAB)
  • Characterization of sensors and materials (atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), etc)
  • Designing and building optical/electrical test setups
  • Programming data acquisition systems and creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs)
  • Literature reviews, grant applications, report writing, and technical presentations
  • Providing guidance, training, and mentoring to co-op students, URAs, and others as required
  • Attend monthly SIMSLab group meetings and on occasion present findings
  • Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops

Prerequisites:

  • The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) or Ontario graduate scholarship (OGS) award holders are preferred, but funding will be provided on a case by case basis
  • Undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering
  • Excellent command of both written and spoken English
  • Basic knowledge of optics and general sensor principles
  • High degree of hands on ability and proven experimental skills
  • Undergraduate average of 80% or more is preferred

Assets:

  • Working knowledge of engineering programming and simulation tools
  • Experience with fabrication techniques, related characterization or analytical tools is a plus
  • Previous experience in optics, batteries, or optoelectronic systems preferred

Please forward resumes and unofficial transcripts to:

Patricia Nieva 
SIMSLab director
pnieva@uwaterloo.ca