PhD position Reliability 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.

This PhD will carry out ressearch focused on flexible lab-scale solar cell and module  based triple-junction configurations with conversion efficiencies beyond 15%.

The research in this PhD student 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:

• dedicated performance and degradation analyses of thin-film silicon PV lab cells up to PV modules
• dedicated accelerated lifetime testing of modules, lab cells, polymers and adhesion materials.
• dedicated tests on mechanical resilience of solar foil concepts
• modelling and yield optimization of thin-film silicon Solar Foil in different applications and models.

The PhD will be part of a large research team at the PVMD group focused on LF-TFSiPV.

You will work as a PhD 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.

The successful candidate has obtained a master's degree with excellent marks in physics, chemistry, 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. A good command of the English language is required. Domain knowledge of solar energy engineering, energy transtion, material science and data analytics is a strong plus.

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 courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.     

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 € 2443 per month in the first year to € 3122 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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   

NOTE that applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and suitable candidates will be invited for interview, so it is recommended not to wait until the deadline with your applicatio

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before July 31, 2022 via the application button.

Applications should be submitted via the application buttonin the recruitment system. Applications can be addressed to Prof. Arno Smets. Please submit:

• your CV with a list of (academic and/or industry) references that we can contact,
• a list of grades of your qualifying degrees (BSc, MSc), and
• a cover letter that details your motivation and fit to the job requirements.

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.

This PhD will carry out ressearch focused on flexible lab-scale solar cell and module  based triple-junction configurations with conversion efficiencies beyond 15%.

The research in this PhD student 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:

• dedicated performance and degradation analyses of thin-film silicon PV lab cells up to PV modules
• dedicated accelerated lifetime testing of modules, lab cells, polymers and adhesion materials.
• dedicated tests on mechanical resilience of solar foil concepts
• modelling and yield optimization of thin-film silicon Solar Foil in different applications and models.

The PhD will be part of a large research team at the PVMD group focused on LF-TFSiPV.

You will work as a PhD 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.

The successful candidate has obtained a master's degree with excellent marks in physics, chemistry, 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. A good command of the English language is required. Domain knowledge of solar energy engineering, energy transtion, material science and data analytics is a strong plus.

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 courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.     

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 € 2443 per month in the first year to € 3122 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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   

NOTE that applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and suitable candidates will be invited for interview, so it is recommended not to wait until the deadline with your applicatio

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before July 31, 2022 via the application button.

Applications should be submitted via the application buttonin the recruitment system. Applications can be addressed to Prof. Arno Smets. Please submit:

• your CV with a list of (academic and/or industry) references that we can contact,
• a list of grades of your qualifying degrees (BSc, MSc), and
• a cover letter that details your motivation and fit to the job requirements.

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.