1-2 postdoctoral positions in thin film solar cells

Published: 2023-02-01

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

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 1984 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 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 our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

Project description
In the research on semiconductor materials for thin film solar cells, processability as well as efficiency, are important for the development as well as long term stability. The process methods for the different layers in a thin film solar cell are co-evaporation for the CIGS material and sputtering and atomic layer deposition (ALD) for contact and buffer-layer materials, respectively. Verification of material properties in close collaboration with ab-initio-calculations on solar cell materials research. The focus for the postdoctoral positions is experimental research based on basic understanding of the properties that govern high semiconductor quality and properties that yield the highest efficiencies. The aim with the research projects is tandem solar cells with CIGS-based top cells Funding for the work comes from the EU Commission Horizon Europe, from the Swedish Energy Agency and from a project with industrial collaboration.

Duties
The work will primarily be focused on 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 as well as electrical characterization using current-voltage methods. Collaborative work with partners in the EU-project, including sample exchange and reporting of results in on-line and in-person meetings is required.

Qualifications required
For employment as post-doctoral fellow you shall have a PhD degree, or foreign degree equivalent to PhD degree. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

For this employment the requirement is a PhD degree in physics, materials chemistry, engineering physics, materials science or similar with focus on semiconductor materials or solar cells. We require documented knowledge of work in a lab environment including synthesis of thin films and characterization of materials e.g. x-ray based method and/or electron microscopy.

We require excellent skills in oral and written English.

Additional qualifications
Experience on solar cell fabrication and solar cell characterization is a strong merit, as well as handling of vacuum equipment for synthesis of material. Experience in electrical and material characterization methods, such as JV and EQE is meriting.

We require good skills in independent work, to be able to lead and execute subprojects, to have good ability for collaboration with other researchers and a structured way of working.

Instructions for applying
The application should contain:

• A personal letter in English describing yourself, your research interests as well as why you are a good match for this position.
• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Publication list
• Copies of three publications of special relevance Copy of PhD exam, PhD and master level educational transcripts and other merits of relevance
• Names and contact details (address, email address and telephone number) to at least two contact persons that have accepted to be references for you. Please state you relation to these references.

The application can be written in English

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. 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 ([email protected])  

Please submit your application at the latest on March 14, 2023, UFV-PA 2023/92

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position

Pay: Individual salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100%

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
ST/TCO [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2023/92

Last application date: 2023-03-14

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