High-Efficiency Solar Cells with Novel Nanolayer Materials
About the Project
Solar photovoltaics (PV) has emerged as a breakthrough technology driving the clean energy transition and addressing climate change. PV is expected to surpass other energy sources by the end of this decade, thanks to improved efficiency and lower costs.
In this project, you will contribute to next-generation solar cells by developing novel nanolayer materials using atomic layer deposition (ALD). You will investigate and optimize their optical and electrical properties for high-efficiency photovoltaic devices, including silicon and/or silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells.
You will join a collaborative team environment with direct mentorship from supervisors who are leading experts in the field. Photovoltaics research at ANU is at the global cutting edge, spanning solar forecasting, device fabrication, and integrating renewables with storage capacity into the grid.
Fabrication and Characterisation Facilities
You will work extensively with our newly installed materials deposition cluster, including a state-of-the-art ALD system. Our characterisation facilities include state-of-the-art optical, electrical, and microscopy tools, such as luminescence spectroscopy and imaging, spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman spectroscopy, photoemission yield spectroscopy, Kelvin probe, solar simulators, etc.
About the PhD Scholarship
We are offering a fully-funded PhD scholarship in the field of photovoltaics at the Australian National University (ANU). This scholarship covers university fees, research expenses, and provides an additional allowance to cover living costs for 3.5 years:
* Living allowance: AUD$ 36,652 per year (tax-free)
* Conference travel allowance: AUD$ 6,000 during PhD
* Relocation allowance: up to AUD$ 2,500
Requirements and Application
Applicants must have graduated or be expecting to graduate with degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Applied Science, Chemistry, or related disciplines, with a GPA above 8 out of 10, or 3.5 out of 4.0, or high distinction (HD), or equivalent. International students need to have outstanding GPA rankings within their departments (usually top 5%, preferably top 2%).
To apply, please send an email directly to Dr Lachlan Black with the following information: your background, experience, and research interests; GPA / result of each degree; estimation of your GPA ranking within your cohort; details of any publications, along with DOI links; list of any other relevant research achievements; and attachments of CV, academic transcripts, and supporting evidence.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those traditionally underrepresented in the STEM field, are especially encouraged to apply.