Hybrid perovskites have recently been discovered as solar cell material that allows to make a high-efficiency solar cell from a liquid solution, and it remains a mystery why these materials work so well despite the 'dirty' processing. At the same time, the processing conditions need to be controlled exactly for highly efficient solar cells. In this project you will combine electronic and ultrafast optical spectroscopy to understand the complex interplay of the insensitivity against trap states, but sensitivity for processing conditions. You will further study the consequences of these properties for solar cells. You will use ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and electrical spectroscopy such as deep-level transient spectroscopy to study the charge carrier dynamics on timescales from femtoseconds to seconds. You will work in a team of three PhD students plus additional MSc students, and will hence have the chance to explore a large parameter space of materials properties, and within the team there will be capabilities to fabricate solar cells to fully understand the connection between material fabrication, the resulting trap state density and energy, the charge carrier dynamics, and finally the influence on solar cell performance.

In the hybrid solar cell group, we have gathered a unique set of techniques to study trap states and recombination dynamics in hybrid halide perovskites, including deep-level transient spectroscopy, ultrafast transient spectroscopy, and measurements under high pressure (optical and electrical). You will work in a team of researchers (PhD and MSc students) which gives you the opportunity to gain leadership experience while also learning about new techniques. We provide a highly collaborative environment, both within the group and with our national and international collaborators.

The postdoc position is fully funded for up to three years. We welcome applications from highly motivated researchers who have expertise in hybrid perovskite research (other optoelectronic materials are also acceptable), either spectroscopically (ultrafast optical spectroscopy, transient electronic spectroscopy) or in device fabrication (or both). You should have a PhD in physics, chemistry, engineering or similar.

Fixed-term contract: two years.

NWO-I, the Institutes Organisation of NWO prefers candidates who have qualifying experience (e.g. as PhD student or postdoctoral researcher) in a scientific research institute abroad. You will be employed by NWO-I for a fixed period of two years.  Your salary will be up to a maximum of 4,089 euro gross per month, depending on your level of experience. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 percent and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33 percent.  The conditions of employment of NWO-I are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English). General information about working at NWO-I can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'Job interview code' applies to this position.

AMOLF

AMOLF initiates and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and creates new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. AMOLF is located at the Amsterdam Science Park, the Netherlands, and engages approximately 140 scientists and 70 support staff. See also http://www.amolf.nl.