This  PhD  project,  financed  by  the  NWO  Start  Up  grant  (https://www.nwo.nl/en/news-and-events/news/2019/07/seven-researchers-in-physics-and-chemistry-to-receive-funding-in-final-start-up-round.html), focuses on the experimental realization and study of p-type transparent conductors following recent theoretical predictions. The work spans from in-depth studies of the fundamental material properties that leads to p-type conductivity and transparency -up to now being one of the
biggest challenges in optoelectronics-, to the implementation of the materials in solar cells. More specifically, the successful candidate will have the following tasks:

1. Thin film deposition by vacuum and non-vacuum methods (e.g. PLD, sputtering, chemical bath deposition) of oxide and chalcogenide materials.
2. Thin film structural, chemical, electrical and optical properties characterization (e.g. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), optical spectroscopy, Hall effect measurements, Seebeck coefficient measurements).
3. Development of combinatorial experiments and large data sets analysis routines for fast screening of promising material compositions. Use of materials databases such as The Materials Project (https://materialsproject.org ) is expected.
4. Participation in beamtime at synchrotron facilities for in-depth characterization of material properties, such as electronic structure of the materials and band dispersion.
5. Build structure-property relations that lead to the design and realization of p-type transparent materials and demonstrate their application in solar cells.

All candidates are expected to develop into independent researchers, mentor BSc and MSc students, and work collaboratively with interdisciplinary and international team members. In the framework of the project collaboration with scientists at EPFL and UC Berkeley is also foreseen. Excellent English writing and presentation skills are required. He or she will have the opportunity to travel to conferences and workshops. The PhD candidate is expected to start in January 2020.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

If you are interested in filling the vacancy, please upload your CV, a half-page summary of master/diploma thesis, a letter of motivation which states your research experience and interests by using the application button below.  

For more information about the position please contact m.moralesmasis@utwente.nl

• The gross monthly salary starts with € 2.325,- in the first year and increases to € 2.972,- in the fourth year of your employment.
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and  a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• A solid pension scheme.
• Professional and personal development programs.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.