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Student Placements

PhD Studentship – Photovoltaics – Thin Film PV Solar Cells

The Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER):

-         Based in OpTIC Technium, St Asaph business Park, North Wales, UK

-         Partner of the Welsh Energy Research Centre (WERC)

-         PhD studentship offered in the University of Wales (EPSRC – PV21 SUPERGEN Project),

-         Registration through the North East Wales Institute (NEWI).

CSER is the management hub of the SUPERGEN consortium "Photovoltaic Materials for the 21st Century" (PV21), with more than 20 years combined experience in photovoltaic (PV) and metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD).

The consortium’s researchers are working on thin film semiconductor-based solar cells using materials such as silicon, cadmium telluride and copper indium di-selenide. The aim is to reduce the cost (£/Wp) of at least one class of solar cells by 50%, and research is focusing on the physics and chemistry that is most likely to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Various avenues can be employed to improve cell efficiencies from light trapping (extending the amount of sunlight converted to electricity), device and grains engineering.

The offered studentship is an exciting project, funded for 3 ½ years, to explore novel ways of increasing photon capture for various thin film PV technologies. The dynamic team at CSER has a unique capability to research high quality materials by MOCVD techniques (achieving high cell efficiencies).  Various other deposition techniques will also be available for achieving the student’s goals. Extensive equipment capabilities will be available for characterisation.  The project will allow the PhD student to have the unique prospect for training with top class PV research groups in the UK. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel and work with 7 other Universities nationwide and 6 industrial partners as part of the PV Supergen project.

We offer:

-         Newly fitted laboratory,

-         Friendly and dynamic research team,

-         Exciting international environment,

-         Full studentship grant to cover fees and generous stipend for UK/EU student.

We expect:

-         Masters or diploma degree in physics or (materials, physical or inorganic) chemistry with excellent grades,

-         Good knowledge of solid state physics,

-         Inquisitiveness, commitment and creativity.

Type of funding: Public sector funding (Grant)
Funding Body: EPSRC, the UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. The funding and the position is expected to last 3.5 years
Stipend: in excess of £12000 for 2008/9 (to be confirmed)

For further information and to receive an application form please send your CV to Vincent.barrioz@optictechnium.com