Micro- and Nanotechnology: MLU launches new graduate program

The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) is strengthening its training of specialists for micro- and nanotechnology with a new graduate program. The university receives 1.6 million euros from funds of the European Social Fund (ESF+) and the state of Saxony-Anhalt for this purpose. Five positions for doctoral candidates and one postdoctoral position are funded. The topics range from spintronics to photovoltaics. Hands-on training in the MLU cleanroom plays a central role.

Micro- and nanotechnology is considered a key field for many future technologies, and the demand for highly qualified specialists is increasing. "With the new graduate program, we are responding to this demand and specifically strengthening our training competence in the field of micro- and nanotechnology," says physicist Prof. Dr. Georg Schmidt, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences II, where the graduate program is based. The focus of the new offering is the structured training of doctoral candidates working on one of five research projects in the field of nanostructuring. The projects cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the nanostructuring of more efficient solar cells, spintronic components for microelectronics, or silicon-based nanophotonics. Additionally, there is a postdoctoral position for experienced researchers, within which their own research project will be implemented and teaching in the "Physics and Nanotechnology" degree program at MLU will be supported.

All projects utilize the existing cleanroom infrastructure of MLU. The doctoral candidates will first become familiar with the technology on-site so that they can work scientifically and practically with it. "Our cleanroom is equipped with an almost complete process chain for nanostructuring and thus offers ideal conditions for training doctoral candidates. Only a few universities in Germany offer a similarly targeted program in the field of nanotechnology," says Schmidt.

Part of the projects also connect thematically to MLU's latest major research success within the framework of the Excellence Strategy: In May, MLU received approval for a "Center for Chiral Electronics." Researchers from Halle, Berlin, and Regensburg will work on new concepts and materials for high-performance and energy-efficient electronics starting in 2026.