Postdoc in Nanoparticle/Polymer Composites for Photovoltaics

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy.

The School of Engineering Sciences carries out a wide range of research at the international front line, from fundamental disciplines such as Physics and Mathematics, to Engineering Mechanics with applications such as Aeronautics and Vehicle Engineering. We also offer university degree programs in Engineering Physics, Vehicle Engineering, and 'Open entrance', as well as a number of international master’s programmes. The position is at the Department of Applied Physics.

A new modern direction in photovoltaics is building-integration, where functional components become an intrinsic part of the construction materials. Typically, a “Building Integrated Photovoltaics” system (BIPV) consists of integrated PV modules into the building envelope, such as the roof or the facade. This concept can be also extended to windows. Although the inherent window transparency should be maintained, even a partial conversion of the sunlight to electrical energy can generate sizeable power quantities where large surface areas are involved.

In this project luminescent solar concentrators (“Quantum Dot Glass”) based on nanocomposite films, laminated on glass, will be investigated for this purpose. Silicon quantum dots will be considered as main fluorophores and off-stoichiometry thiol-enes as a primary host polymer. The work will consist of nanoparticle synthesis, their surface functionalization, preparation of a polymer/nanoparticle hybrid material, device assembly and its characterization. Nano-characterization and optical measurement facilities in our Albano Laboratory will be extensively used to study synthesized materials and devices.

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Works in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline (With some exceptions for special reasons such as periods of sick or parental leave, kindly indicate if such reason exists in your resume), in a subject relevant for the research, such as chemistry, nanotechnology or photovoltaic devices. Candidates without a PhD degree but expected to defend before the project starting date are also welcome to apply. Note that this is a purely research position without a teaching load.
• The candidate is supposed to have adequate knowledge of nanoparticle chemical synthesis and characterization techniques, optical phenomena in materials, and photovoltaic device operation. Experience in silicon surface chemistry, luminescent solar concentrators and/or polymer chemistry is a plus.
• The applicant must show proven capability to publish in renowned international journals. He or she must be strongly motivated, able to work independently or together with team members. Project management skills and good communication skills are merits.

Preferred qualifications

• Research expertise
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competency

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage .

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Type of employment: Temporary position longer than 6 months
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement but not later than January 2022
Salary: Monthly salary
Number of positions: 1
Working hours: 100%
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: S-2021-1272
Contact:

Published: 2021-09-13
Last application date: 2021-10-13