Three researchers from Swedish universities were awarded the prestigious ERC Advanced grant for research in Physical Sciences and Engineering. One of these is Jan Stake, Professor of Terahertz Electronics at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience. As the only researcher from Chalmers to be given the grant in 2024, he now receives approximately SEK 28 million for his research project in semiconductor technology.
On 11 April, the European Research Council announced the names of the 255 researchers awarded €652 million in ERC Advanced Grants. The research grants are given to a wide range of scientific disciplines and aim to provide leading and senior researchers in Europe the opportunity to pursue ambitious research projects with great curiosity that can lead to significant scientific breakthroughs.
Out of 1829 applications, 255 were granted, of which 107 were research projects in Physical Sciences and Engineering. Three of these went to researchers at Swedish universities, including Jan Stake, professor of Terahertz Electronics at MC2 at Chalmers.
Big congratulations, Jan! How did it feel to receive this news?
“I was very pleased and grateful. Relieved. But I had to read the message several times before I dared to realise that it was actually true. I am grateful for all the support from my closest colleagues and from Chalmers throughout the process.”
Can you tell us a little about the research project?
“The "far-infrared semiconductor electronics" project is based on combining the advantages of two different semiconductor technologies to reach a hard-to-reach part of the electromagnetic spectrum (2 - 5 THz). The goal is to build a super-sensitive radio receiver for 4.7 THz, which could be used to measure the presence of atomic oxygen in the upper part of the atmosphere. If we get there, I believe that the project can enable new scientific space instruments that can give us better knowledge about important processes in the atmosphere that affect our climate.”
What does this grant mean for your research?
“It means a lot. Above all, it means long-term peace of mind and financial security that allows us to focus wholeheartedly and, hopefully, in the long run, achieve even more interesting results.”
Thanks and, again, congratulations!
Read more about the ERC Advanced grants here!
- Full Professor, Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Laboratory, Microtechnology and Nanoscience