PhD position Muti-Functional Barrier Layers for Reliable Flexible Perovskite PV Cells and Modules

Join our innovative research team to optimize silicon heterojunction cell design through cutting-edge multi-scale physics modeling for a more efficient and sustainable solar future! 

The program of the PVMD group builds up expertise in the design and fabrication technology from solar cells to PV systems with their power electronics and storage options. You will contribute to the SolarLab program in the SolarNL project. In this specific project you will study how bi-layered or multi-layered stacks can stop the development of pinholes on flexible substrates. Also, you will improve their opto-electrically properties beyond the fundamental limitations of single layers, such as standard transparent conductive oxides. What fundamental properties make a material suitable as etch-stop barriers (processing)/water barriers(reliability)? This is a project performed within the PVMD group of TU Delft, under supervision of prof. dr. Arno Smets.

About the department

The PVMD group is part of the Electrical Sustainable Energy department which is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns the large Electrical Sustainable Power (ESP) Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and a 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.

We are acutely aware that we are a diverse society and not every talented applicant will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore pledge to fully account for any particular circumstances that the applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process that does not rely purely on common research metrics.

The successful applicant will have:

• Master's degree in physics, sustainable energy technologies, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other relevant enegineering science.
• The candidate has a passion for solar energy engineering and is an excellent team player.
• Domain knowledge of solar energy engineering, energy transtion, material science, modelling and data analytics is a strong plus.
• Experience with nano-fabrication in clean room environment is a plus.
• Excellent communications skills in English, both writing and speaking.
• Ability to work independently and self-driven in a multidisciplinary team

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme  for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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 as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 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. Arno Smets, +31 (0)15 27 88739, [email protected]

For information about the selection procedure, please contact Brenda Reyes, Management Assistant, email: [email protected]

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before the September 1, 2024 via the application button and upload your:

• Application letter addressed to Prof. dr. Arno Smets that explains your personal motivation in pursuing a PhD and fit to the job requirements;
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with a list of (academic and/or industry) references that we can contact;
• Qualification evidence including MSc and BSc degrees and transcripts.

Please note:

• 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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.