PhD student position in Tandem solar cell based on thin film methods for efficient and low cost electricity generation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Admission to PhD studies in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization in Electronics

The department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory provides an innovative and international research environment that can take on technical and societal challenges both now and in the future. The department has 8 divisions including Myfab, our infrastructure for cleanroom-based research.

The division of Solar Cell Technology was founded in 2020, but the solar cell activities at Uppsala University started already in 1994 and developed into a well-established research group. The Solar Cell Technology division consists of about 20 full time active researchers and will expand further in 2023. Read more here: https://www.materialvetenskap.uu.se/solar-cell-technology/

The research within the division of Solar Cell Technology is dedicated to fundamental understanding as well as development of effective and potentially low-cost solar cells based on thin film technologies. The focus is on materials containing chalcogens such as sulfur and selenium, e.g. (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTS), but also perovskites, such as ZrBaS3 and lead-based perovskites. The division has onw laboratories in the Ångström clean-room lab and much of the research is carried out in smaller or large collaborations.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more: https://wise-materials.org

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School <https://wise-materials.org/research/graduate-school/>, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Project description
Tandem solar cells is commonly viewed as a possible leap-frog technology regarding efficiency and research on tandems is a growing scientific research field around the world. This project is about tandem solar cells entirely based on thin films, where the focus will be on CIGS solar cells. The CIGS material has a tunable bandgap, which can be varied to be suitable for both bottom and top solar cells in a tandem structure. In the project you will work on solar cell materials as well as material characterization. The fabrication methods will be thermal co-evaporation for the CIGS material and sputtering and atomic layer deposition (ALD) for contact and buffer-layer materials. The PhD education at the division of Solar Cell Technology will give you a broad knowledge base within material science and solar cell technology for a career within academia or industry.

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%).

The work and research in this project will be synthesis and characterization of solar cell materials and solar cells in the clean-room facility in the Ångström laboratory at Uppsala University, mainly using vacuum based methods, where the overarching goal is a tandem solar cell with high efficiency. Electrical characterization using current-voltage methods is an important part of the work, as well as planning and carrying out of experimental series. The results are analyzed and summarized in scientific publications.

Qualifications required
Master degree or equivalent in physics, engineering physics or material science with courses in semiconductor physics or solar cells, which includes courses in semiconductor materials/semiconductor physics, semiconductor components, or solar cells. We require excellent English skills, both oral and in writing.

Additional qualifications
Documented knowledge about solar cells and solar cell fabrication and characterization methods (material and/or electrical characterization is a strong merit. We also value laborative work experience.

Admission requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

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

Instructions for applying
The applications must contain

• A short letter describing the background of the applicant as well as why the applicant is a good match to this position.
• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Master or Bachelor exam and transcript of study records

The application can be written in English

We will during the application time continuously read applications and hold interviews.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Marika Edoff (marika.edoff@angstrom.uu.se) 

Please submit your application no later than 28th February 2023, UFV-PA 2023/441

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