The Electronics and Computer Science’s Nanoelectronics & Nanotechnology group, in collaboration with Physics and Astronomy’s Quantum Light and Matter group, is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow to work on an exciting project aimed at developing high efficiency perovskite/Si hybrid tandem solar cells.
At present, single junction solar cells based on crystalline silicon are the dominant technology in the photovoltaic (PV) market, however it has been suggested that combining a low cost thin film technology with a high efficiency cell in a hybrid tandem device could provide the balance between cost and efficiency required for widespread adoption of PV. In the last few years, organo-metal halide perovskite PV has emerged as a very promising candidate for cheap, high efficiency thin film solar cells. This technology is also being touted as highly suitable for top cells in tandem devices. The successful candidate will work in the state-of-the-art Southampton Nanofabrication Centre cleanrooms, as well as in various advanced characterization labs within the Faculty, to develop and optimize crystalline silicon solar cells for use as the bottom cell in a perovskite tandem device. This will involve the design, simulation and fabrication of novel antireflection and light trapping schemes to make best use of the near infrared part of the solar spectrum transmitted through the top cell in the tandem device. A combination of optical modelling, TCAD simulations and experimental investigations will be used to develop and optimize existing solar cell technology for use in this new hybrid configuration.
This work is funded through the EPSRC SuperSolar Solar Energy Hub, a consortium of UK universities and companies aiming to improve the efficiency of next generation photovoltaic devices. This will provide exciting opportunities to collaborate with Hub members in the UK and abroad with the aim of developing a complete hybrid tandem device.
The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area of solid state physics, materials science or electronic engineering. Experience in semiconductor device modelling, design, fabrication and characterization is desirable, as is knowledge and experience in the area of crystalline silicon photovoltaics and optical modelling.
The successful candidate will ideally start in March 2015 and the appointment is initially for 18 months, with the possibility of an extension. For further informal enquiries, please contact Dr Stuart Boden (sb1@ecs.soton.ac.uk).
ECS holds an Athena Swan Bronze Award demonstrating its commitment to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities and employees are able to participate in the childcare vouchers scheme. The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit in with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. We would, therefore, consider requests to undertake this role on a part-time or a flexible working basis. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness.
Application procedure:
You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. If you need any assistance, please call Donna-Marie Stansbridge on +44 (0) 23 8059 4048. Please quote reference 506015FP on all correspondence.
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