PhD position in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN)

PhD position in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN)
MENTOR

Project title: DC12: Establishing equivalent ISOS protocols for Indoor PVs employing Pb-free Perovskite Solar Cells.

Place of Employment and planned mobility:
NMPE – Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy (webpage under update)
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), Barcelona (Spain)

As a flagship research center in nanoscience and nanotechnology, our mission is to open and explore new frontiers of knowledge at the nanoscale, and bring value to society in the form of new understanding, capabilities and innovation, while inspiring and providing broad training to the next generations of researchers.

Secondments:
– CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Portugal. 4 months, from M18. Purpose: Study of different encapsulation solutions.
– National Physical Laboratory (NPL), U.K. 3 months, from M30. Purpose: Co-development of stress conditions to identify premature failures in IPVs.

Supervisor: Prof. Monica Lira-Cantu

Project Tasks and Objectives:
General Objective: Fabrication, characterization and stability protocols development for Pb-free Halide Perovskite Solar Cells for Indoor Applications.

Specific Objectives:
1) To fabricate Pb-free Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.
2) To develop testing protocols for indoor stability based on the IEC TS 62607-7-2 standard.
3) To study spectral invariant light sources for IPV considering variable illuminance levels.
4) To examine the IPV performance at the maximum power point under constant illumination from hours to days.
5) To upgrade our patented encapsulation methodology at room temperature for stability assessment.

Tasks:
• Synthesis and functionalization of materials, especially Pb-free Metal Halide perovskites (MHPs).
• Fabrication of functionalized Pb-free MHPs by solution processing methods.
• Fabrication of complete Pb-free MHPs solar cells.
• Stability analysis of materials and devices following the ISOS protocols.
• Development of stability protocols for indoor photovoltaics.
• Process and analysis of data.
• Elaboration of periodic reports to keep track of project progress.
• Preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations in workshops or conferences.
• Skills on proposal writing.

Starting date: March 2025

Duration of the work contract: 36 months/ Full time commitment

Trial period: 4 months
Target Degree: PhD degree from Polytechnic University of Barcelona (UPC)
Link to doctoral program: Doctoral School — UPC. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Approximately Gross salary: 33,376.18 € including living and mobility allowance; and 37,836.31 € with family allowance.

Eligibility:
• Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, electronics or closely related discipline. No previous PhD awarded.
• The researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment.
• Experience in thin film or/and solar cell fabrication by solution processing methods.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher.
• Strong analytical skills and interest in interpreting complex data.
• Excellent organization skills, time management and ability to work to priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

English language requirements: High English level is mandatory (written and spoken).

How to apply:
All applications must be made via the ICN2 website and include:
1. A cover letter.
2. A full CV including contact details.
3. 2 Reference letters or referee contacts.

Deadline for applications: January 2025

This contract has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, under grant agreement 101169056 – MENTOR.

Equal opportunities:
ICN2 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.