How to have a research mindset in the field of analog IC design?

1. What should I do to have a research oriented mindset while the projects that I have ever done so far were pretty much well defined (specifications and topologies of the opamps were already given by the professor)?

2. How is the research in the analog IC design field conducted actually?


I see an opening for a research oriented internship in the field of analog IC design (power electronics for automotive).
The internship of 6-9 month can be followed with a master thesis, another 6 months.
In the requirement section of the opening, it is explicitly mentioned that the candidates must have a research oriented and problem solving mindset.

If I understand it correctly, the company expect us not only make a design that passes the specification (even though it is already not an easy task, let alone the research part).

Any advice is really appreciated.

I posted it here because the academic thread has very less frequent viewer.
I do not mind if the admin move this to the more proper thread.

Research is not really where you work on spec-compliant
products. That's "development". Research in analog ICs
might be technologies, topologies, etc.

As a "lifer" analog IC designer, research is seldom done
(as a fraction of time spent). On a new-to-world or new-
to-company part there will be some experimentation and
you could call this "research", but often more practical
than theoretical. Because you're on a schedule and you
have to get it done, clever idea or not.

The innovations remaining to be discovered, are probably
about problems that are just becoming identified (as
other elements of the environment evolve, they present
new needs for some other IC to satisfy - for example,
ten years ago nobody cared about sub-bandgap voltage
references; now with core voltages below 1V, that's a
thing. What's next? I dunno. Somebody tells me they
need it, and I'll get to "research", cut-and-try style.

The company will expect you to attempt to meet at
least the key specs of interest. No sane company will
let an intern loose on valued product unsupervised.
You will (I expect) have a mentor who will parcel out
goals and actions, and want you to take initiative
from there.

melkord said:

power electronics for automotive

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Possibly for electric cars since they're becoming the 'big thing'. Many businesses would love to develop breakthroughs in battery chemistry, watt-to-weight ratio, charging techniques, efficiency, safeguards, etc.

candidates must have a research oriented and problem solving mindset

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It sounds like an opportunity which a creative mind would enjoy, but it also may involve extensive tests and trials, and long hours at the job because the entire team must take part if we're going to make a design that passes the specification.