Merci beaucoup d'avoir accepté l'interview.
Can you tell us about your background and why you decided to do a PhD?
Growing up, I was always fascinated by great scientists and groundbreaking discoveries. I vividly recall watching a documentary about Einstein at age twelve, particularly the segment on his prediction of the Bose–Einstein condensate. I was so captivated by how someone could predict something so groundbreaking more than seventy years before it could be produced. After this, I became eager to watch films about geniuses, and I must have watched Good Will Hunting and A Beautiful Mind more than twenty times. This fascination with being at the forefront of new discoveries led me to a master’s degree in electrical engineering, and after one year of work at Arm, I decided to pursue this fascination even further with a PhD.
Why a CIFRE thesis?
I am from Sweden and obtained my master’s degree from Lunds Tekniska Högskola (LTH). At university, I did not do an exchange year, and I wanted to move abroad to experience another country and culture. A CIFRE was the most accessible way for me to do that, and as a bonus, I got the best of both worlds. I had the opportunity to be at the forefront of research in both a university and a company.
What are the most difficult points in the thesis journey and what qualities do you think are necessary to succeed?
Almost all PhD students I talked to suffered more or less from imposter syndrome. You work on a subject and make good progress, but regardless, you are hit with self-doubt. “Why has no one else looked at this before? Is this even scientifically relevant?” and “Someone smarter has probably done this already” are not uncommon statements to deal with when pursuing a PhD. I think tenacity and curiosity are the most important qualities to succeed with a thesis. The curiosity and eagerness to discover and learn, will trump the self-doubt, and the tenacity, together with the curiosity, will help you to deal with setbacks. I am careful to call them setbacks and not failures. You will have to deal with setbacks, but it is only a failure if you give up.
What is your current position and what has your doctorate brought you to this position?
My current position is at Nordic Semiconductor as a research and development engineer. The goal is to develop the next generation of System on Chips (SoCs) for WiFi applications, aiming to achieve best-in-class performance in current consumption. I am part of a team that primarily focuses on synthesizer technology. My doctorate has notably enhanced my innovative capabilities, particularly in evolving ideas from conception through to the development of finalized circuits.
Any advice for students who want to do PhD?
Pursuing a PhD is a bit like doing an iron man, both metaphorically and practically. It requires a long-term commitment, and it is not just about the race day. Success in both endeavors demands thorough preparation and strategic planning. Before committing to a PhD program, ensure that the subject matter genuinely interests you. You'll be dedicating several years to deep research, so it is crucial that you are passionate about the topic. Embarking on a PhD can be one of the most challenging but also one of the most fulfilling experiences. With the right preparation and mindset, it can lead to significant personal and professional growth.