Researcher position in Solar Cell Technology with focus on ion-beam characterization of thin films

at the Division of Solar Cell Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University

Temporary full-time position for 6 months, starting 1 August 2025 or by agreement

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and with close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focus.

Read more about us here

About the division

The Division of Solar Cell Technology is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ångström Laboratory. The research within the division of Solar Cell Technology is dedicated to fundamental understanding as well as development of effective and 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 inorganic perovskites, such as ZrBaS3. Read more about the division here

Project description

This project focuses on evaluation of a predictive model for thin film sputter deposition. To evaluate the model, we will sputter thin films of different combinations of metal elements, and characterize them with Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). The resulting spectra will be analysed using the SIMNRA software package to determine film composition, and compared with the model predictions. This must be repeated for a broad selection of material combinations and sputtering conditions in order to make a robust evaluation.

Duties

You are expected to work safely and independently in a lab environment, as well as effectively in a large multidisciplinary group of chemists and materials scientists.

Your duties include:

• Sputtering of thin film samples in the Ångström Laboratory cleanroom
• Assisting with maintenance of the sputtering chamber
• Carrying out RBS measurements at the Tandem laboratory
• Fitting RBS spectra using SIMNRA
• Comparative analysis of predicted and measured compositional data
• Coaching other researchers in the RBS measurement and analysis
• Contributions to any publications where the data is used

Qualification requirements

PhD degree in engineering science, materials science, materials physics or a closely related field.

We require documented knowledge and several years of research experience of:

• Thin film deposition using physical vapor deposition
• Conducting characterization of thin films using RBS
• Analysis of ion beam data using SIMNRA

We require very good oral and written skills in English, as well as very good skills in writing scientific publications.

Additional qualifications

We attach great importance to your personal qualities and you must be self-motivated, proactive and have the ability to independently plan and run projects.

Your application must include

• A short letter of description of yourself, why are you interested in joining this project, and why you are suitable for this position
• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Copy of the PhD, master's degree (or equivalent) and academic transcripts
• Publication list. Mark the most relevant publications for the position and comment your contribution to those publications.
• Names and contact details of at least two reference persons who have accepted to be references for you. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

During the application period, we will continuously read application documents and call for interviews

About the employment

The position is a temporary position for 6 months. Scope of employment: 100%. Starting date 1 August 2025 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact:

Jonathan Staaf Scragg, Associate Professor, jonathan.scragg@uu.se

Please submit your application no later than 14 of July 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2118

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