PhD Research Studentships
Sustainable Organic-Perovskite Quantum Dot Solar Cells
| Supervisors: | Flurin EISNER and Joe BRISCOE |
| Apply by: | 29 February 2024 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
Organic and perovskite semiconductors are two of the most exciting new classes of materials for converting solar energy into sustainable electricity and fuels that have emerged in the last decade. As opposed to traditional inorganic semiconductors like Silicon, which require high temperatures and toxic processing methods, they can be processed from earth-abundant materials using sustainable ‘inks’, and their properties can be easily tailored to meet specific technology requirements. This makes them attractive for applications such as semi-transparent photovoltaic windows for greenhouses or indoor light harvesting for the internet-of-things.
In this PhD, you will build on preliminary work from the group on developing novel organic-perovskite quantum dot light absorbers for solar cells, which combines the strengths of organic and perovskite semiconductors in a single device. You will focus on developing and optimising the electrical and optical properties of this new structure and explore and characterise its unique properties. The project will involve innovative device engineering using sustainable fabrication methods, such as solution-processing thermal evaporation, as well as the probing and mitigating loss pathways using spectroscopy and optoelectronic characterisation. The student will be trained on a wide range of lab facilities, including gloveboxes for device fabrication, numerous characterisation techniques (e.g. steady-state and transient photoluminescence and electroluminescence, opto-electronic techniques) and have access to a brand-new Green Energy Lab.
This multidisciplinary project spans materials chemistry, physics and engineering and will offer a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in sustainable materials and solar cell development. You will be part of a growing research team, with strong opportunities to collaborate with other academic groups in the School of Material Sciences and Engineering, as well as with UK and international groups, and with Industrial Partners. Our PhD students have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial research support. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop the skills and attributes needed to manage research and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
If you are interested in applying, please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss potential application informally (see below). The start date of the PhD is September 2024.
Funding
Funded by: Queen Mary ResearchUK students only.
This studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees
Eligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Flurin EISNER or Joe BRISCOE.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Materials Science full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-587" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| Related website: | https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/f.eisner |
| Keywords: | Physical Chemistry, Energy Technologies, Polymers, Experimental Physics, Semiconductors |