Never has a solar cell technology improved as quickly as solar cells made from metal halide perovskites. These perovskites show a combination of favourable properties including high optical absorption, slow charge carrier recombination and relatively high charge carrier mobilities. As a result, solar cells have reached a record efficiency over 25% with small, millimetre-sized solar cells. For large-scale commercialization of this technology we need to increase the area of the photovoltaic devices to full-scale solar cells.

Unfortunately, this up-scaling leads to a substantial decrease in power conversion efficiency, particularly in the voltage. In this collaborative project between AMOLF and The Technical University Delft, we will investigate which mechanisms are responsible for these additional losses.

You will study the optoelectronic properties of halide perovskites at the micrometre scale. We will use lateral devices to investigate where and how solar cells lose potential energy. Using these techniques, you will evaluate methods to improve the surface properties.

The fundamental knowledge obtained allows us to find a relationship between the structure, the interface, and the optoelectronic properties of halide perovskites. Such fundamental knowledge will guide the material and device developments towards devices that can perform close to the theoretical limit.

We seek candidates with a very strong background in physics, chemistry, material science, or engineering with an interest in solar cells. You will need to meet the requirements for an MSc-degree, to ensure eligibility for a Dutch PhD examination.

We offer a fully funded PhD position for four years. The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years. After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch University. Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students. AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

Hybrid Solar Cells

The Hybrid Solar Cell Group at AMOLF focuses on novel paths towards more efficient solar cells using both organic and inorganic materials. We aim at combining the unique properties and the richness of organic materials with the highly efficient, well-characterised inorganic materials.