Materials Engineering: Fully Funded Swansea University and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership PhD Scholarship: Next-Generation Photovoltaics: Exploring the Stability of Flexible, Roll-to-Roll Printed Perovskite Cells

25 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Swansea University

Department

Central

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

16 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Funding providers: Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership

Subject areas: Photovoltaics, perovskites, international development, sustainability and circular economy

Project start date: 

• 1 April 2024 (preferred start date) (Enrolment open from mid–March)
• 1 July 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-June)

Supervisors:

• Professor Trystan Watson ([email protected] )
• Dr Eifion Jewell
• Dr Ershad Parvazian 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Materials Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

This 4-year PhD position offers an exciting opportunity to join the STRIPS Project (Swansea Tata Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV). As part of the STRIPS project, which encompasses 4-6 PhD studentships across 5 research groups in Swansea, all commencing in 2024, you will be an integral part of a dynamic doctoral cohort. This unique opportunity provides the successful candidate with the chance to collaborate not only with peers in Swansea but with the vast network of projects on photovoltaics across the UK and beyond.  

Your role will explore one of the final barriers to the successful implementation of the newest revolution in solar energy research – lifetime. Working as part of the existing research team led by Professor Trystan Watson  you will explore how printing techniques can be used to produce new types of solar cells known as Perovskite solar cells. In particular you will consider what aspects of the materials used, processing and manufacturing techniques and device encapsulation can be improved or developed to allow the cells and modules to last longer. Enhancing the stability of perovskite solar cells is vital. Their susceptibility to environmental degradation limits their practical use. Overcoming this challenge is essential for their wider adoption in sustainable energy, making it one of the top priorities in the field. 

In this pivotal role, the selected candidate will engage in groundbreaking research, with a special focus on enhancing the humidity, heat and UV stability of perovskite solar cells. This research will delve into the intricate balance between material science and advanced engineering processes in the development of these cells. Particular attention will be given to formulating new material compositions and developing state-of-the-art layer deposition techniques that are more resilient to environmental stressors, especially humidity, high temperature and UV radiation. The project also aims to pioneer robust encapsulation methods optimized for roll-to-roll manufacturing, which is crucial for maintaining cell integrity against these environmental challenges. In addition to academic exploration, this role offers the chance to collaborate with industry leaders, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical, scalable applications. This initiative is not merely about advancing solar technology but is a commitment to contributing towards a sustainable energy future through durable, efficient solar solutions. 

Candidates with a keen interest in solar energy, perovskite photovoltaics, materials and process engineering, device stability and lifetime are encouraged to apply. If you possess a diverse skill set and are passionate about highly applied and impactful research, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of sustainable energy technologies. 

Associated projects:

• Swansea TATA Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV (STRIPS)
• SPECIFIC
• SUNRISE

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Specific Requirements

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations . 

Additional Information
Benefits

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24).

Additional research expenses will also be available.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations . 

Selection process

Please visit our website for more information.

Website for additional job details

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/materials-engineer…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Swansea University

Country

United Kingdom

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/materials-engineer…

Contact

State/Province

Swansea

City

Swansea

Website

http://www.swansea.ac.uk

Street

Singleton Park

Postal Code

SA2 8PP

STATUS: EXPIRED