PhD student position in solar cell contact materials - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Admission to PhD studies in the subject engineering science with specialization in electronics

Each hour, the sun provides more energy than humankind consumes in one year. An effective way to utilize solar energy is with solar cells, which today are the fastest growing renewable energy source. At the Division of Solar Cell Technology, we focus on the latest developments in the field of solar cells, where we conduct research in the area between materials science, electronics and physics. Our solar cells are based on thin film technology and the research is carried out in the department's fully equipped process and measurement labs at the Ångström Laboratory. We collaborate with other Swedish departments and companies in the area, and have a large international network as well.

Our doctoral students often focus on one or more specific parts of a solar cell device, where test solar cells are manufactured and characterized to evaluate if a particular new design works well or not. More information can be found at https://www.materialvetenskap.uu.se.

The division of Solar Cell Technology currently consists of 21 people, five of whom are doctoral students, and is led by Professor Marika Edoff.

Project description: Contact materials have several important functions in the solar cell, and selective contacts are needed to allow only one type of charge carrier (electrons or holes) to pass, while blocking the other. The contact material layers need to be thin, but at the same time fully conformal. A method that works well for manufacturing is Atomic Layer Deposition, ALD. In ALD, gaseous chemical source materials are used that are introduced into a reactor in different sequences. The molecules adhere to a substrate surface, where they react with each other to form thin layers. New types of material can be designed and tested by varying the ALD process parameters. Other thin film methods used in our lab are chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering and evaporation.

Work duties: The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

This doctoral position will focus on selective contact materials for perovskite solar cells, a new type of solar cell that can reach very high efficiency with low cost. The research includes development of ALD processes and design of new innovative materials. These new materials will be added to the perovskite solar cell structure and characterized electrically, where the goal is to understand and improve the solar cell device performance. Fabrication of solar cells and material synthesis are carried out in a cleanroom environment.

Qualification requirements: Master's degree in materials science, materials chemistry, engineering physics, or equivalent.

An education that includes solid state chemistry, solid state physics, or equivalent knowledge is a requirement, preferably with knowledge of thin film techniques, such as ALD, CVD and sputtering.

We require very good oral and written proficiency in English

Other qualifications: The position involves a lot of material synthesis in a cleanroom environment, so experience of laboratory work is an advantage.

Personal qualities, such as the ability to manage and run scientific projects and to simultaneously interact with other researchers are very important. The applicant needs to be determined, structured and able to work efficiently both individually and in groups.

Admission requirements: A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she:

-  has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or

-  has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or

-  has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Instruction for application:

Your application should contain:

1) A short letter describing yourself, your goals and why you want to become a PhD student

2) CV (max 2 pages)

3) Copy of the master's degree and course grades

4) Names and contact information (e-mail and telephone) to two reference persons who have agreed to act as reference for you. 

5) Copies (or drafts thereof) of thesis work and other documents, such as publications, which you wish to invoke

Salary: According to local collective agreement for PhD students

Starting date: As soon as possible or by agreement.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 §7.

Scope of employment: 100%

For further information about the position please contact associate professor Tobias Törndahl, tobias.torndahl@angstrom.uu.se or professor Marika Edoff, marika.edoff@angstrom.uu.se

Please submit your application no later than 31st of August 2021, UFV-PA 2021/2829

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