Postdoc - Reliablity of thin-film silicon solar foil

The realization of sustainable and circular value chains for annual photovoltaic markets at a scale of multiple terawatts, sets new unprecedented societal and technical challenges expressed in new value-chain-metrics. The unique physical characteristics of lightweight and flexible thin-film silicon PV (LF-TFSiPV) technology makes this technology an excellent candidate for future circular markets. The new challenging value-chain-metrics are related to efficiency, costs, rel.iability, circularity, life cycle analyses, sustainable business models and human capita.

TUDelft and HyET Solar have a bilateral research program focussed on the development of high performance and reliable lightweight and flexible thin-film silicon photovoltaic modules.The research is focused on flexible lab-scale solar cells to industrial modules  based on triple-junction PV configurations with conversion efficiencies beyond 15%.

The research in this Postdoc position is focussed on the reliability aspect of thin-film silicon PV devices on lab-scale and module level as well as the reliability of materials: encapsulation materials, adhesives, photovoltaic semiconductor films, TCOs and interconnection.

• Research activities will include:
• data analyses performance outdoor PV systems
• dedicated accelerated lifetime testing of modules, lab cells and (new) materials
• device/module yield optimization module design for various climates
• develop monitoring infrastructure for the outdoor field lab of PV systems
• identifying failure modes
• the development of off-line and on-line diagnostics hardware, monitoring protocols and analyses software to support the realization of high production yields.

The Postdoc will be part of a large research team at the PVMD group with intensive collaboration with HyET Solar focused on LF-TFSiPV.

You will work as a Postdoc in an enthusiastic team of colleagues within the Photovoltaic Materials and Devices section. This section is part of the Electrical Sustainable Energy department of the EEMCS faculty. The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment and large RTDS that is actively used for real time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection and wide area monitoring and protection.

The PVMD section has vacuum equipment in clean room for depositing thin layers and fabricating high efficiency silicon-based solar cells, opto-electrical characterization equipment, photovoltaic modules manufacturing unit, an outdoor testing facility and a photovoltaic laboratory. In the latter, practicals, courses and demonstrations are given to students. The technicians ensure that the students and PhD students have access to the necessary testing equipment. For more information about the section, please visit our website: pvmd.ewi.tudelft.nl.

• A Ph.D. degree in Physics, Chemistry, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Material Science or other relevant Engineering science.
• You have a strong background in Solar Energy Engineering
• Your research portfolio consists of processing and characterization of PV materials and devices or PV systems monitoring
• You have experience with data analyses
• You are keen to work with industrial partners, pro-active, and organisation sensitive
• Excellent command of English (written + oral).

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

This position is a 4 years assignment, starting with a 1-year contract. 

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Ir. Arno Smets , +31 (0)15 2788739.     

Are you interested in this vacany? Please apply before July 31, 2022 via the application button and upload:

• A cover letter that describes your motivation and fit with the job requirements.
• A detailed CV ((with contact information for 2 references; sending references letters yourself is not necessary)
• List of publications (including PhD thesis, if published) with publicly accessible links. Please highlight publications that are most relevant for this position. This can included as part of your CV.
• Transcripts of courses taken during your PhD (if applicable) and of your MSc degree

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

The realization of sustainable and circular value chains for annual photovoltaic markets at a scale of multiple terawatts, sets new unprecedented societal and technical challenges expressed in new value-chain-metrics. The unique physical characteristics of lightweight and flexible thin-film silicon PV (LF-TFSiPV) technology makes this technology an excellent candidate for future circular markets. The new challenging value-chain-metrics are related to efficiency, costs, rel.iability, circularity, life cycle analyses, sustainable business models and human capita.

TUDelft and HyET Solar have a bilateral research program focussed on the development of high performance and reliable lightweight and flexible thin-film silicon photovoltaic modules.The research is focused on flexible lab-scale solar cells to industrial modules  based on triple-junction PV configurations with conversion efficiencies beyond 15%.

The research in this Postdoc position is focussed on the reliability aspect of thin-film silicon PV devices on lab-scale and module level as well as the reliability of materials: encapsulation materials, adhesives, photovoltaic semiconductor films, TCOs and interconnection.

• Research activities will include:
• data analyses performance outdoor PV systems
• dedicated accelerated lifetime testing of modules, lab cells and (new) materials
• device/module yield optimization module design for various climates
• develop monitoring infrastructure for the outdoor field lab of PV systems
• identifying failure modes
• the development of off-line and on-line diagnostics hardware, monitoring protocols and analyses software to support the realization of high production yields.

The Postdoc will be part of a large research team at the PVMD group with intensive collaboration with HyET Solar focused on LF-TFSiPV.

You will work as a Postdoc in an enthusiastic team of colleagues within the Photovoltaic Materials and Devices section. This section is part of the Electrical Sustainable Energy department of the EEMCS faculty. The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment and large RTDS that is actively used for real time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection and wide area monitoring and protection.

The PVMD section has vacuum equipment in clean room for depositing thin layers and fabricating high efficiency silicon-based solar cells, opto-electrical characterization equipment, photovoltaic modules manufacturing unit, an outdoor testing facility and a photovoltaic laboratory. In the latter, practicals, courses and demonstrations are given to students. The technicians ensure that the students and PhD students have access to the necessary testing equipment. For more information about the section, please visit our website: pvmd.ewi.tudelft.nl.

• A Ph.D. degree in Physics, Chemistry, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Material Science or other relevant Engineering science.
• You have a strong background in Solar Energy Engineering
• Your research portfolio consists of processing and characterization of PV materials and devices or PV systems monitoring
• You have experience with data analyses
• You are keen to work with industrial partners, pro-active, and organisation sensitive
• Excellent command of English (written + oral).

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

This position is a 4 years assignment, starting with a 1-year contract. 

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Ir. Arno Smets , +31 (0)15 2788739.     

Are you interested in this vacany? Please apply before July 31, 2022 via the application button and upload:

• A cover letter that describes your motivation and fit with the job requirements.
• A detailed CV ((with contact information for 2 references; sending references letters yourself is not necessary)
• List of publications (including PhD thesis, if published) with publicly accessible links. Please highlight publications that are most relevant for this position. This can included as part of your CV.
• Transcripts of courses taken during your PhD (if applicable) and of your MSc degree

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.