The rise of perovskite thin-film solar cells in recent years has opened up an exciting route to advance the power conversion efficiency of established photovoltaic technologies. For the first time, a wide bandgap thin-film PV technology is available at low cost that can be combined with established low bandgap semiconductors, such as crystalline Si, CIGS thin-films or organic solar cells in a multijunction tandem device with the potential of surpassing efficiencies of established technologies. However, key scientific and technological challenges need to be overcome to harvest this potential. At KIT, we engage in this worldwide endeavour and research the fundamentals, novel materials and processes for perovskite photovoltaics.

This PhD position will be part of our endeavour to develop industrially relevant vapor phase deposition processes for perovskite-based photovoltaics.

The focus of your work will be on the following tasks:

• Development and optimization of various vapor deposition processes, including co-evaporation, sequential evaporation and close-space sublimation, for both perovskite absorbers and suitable passivation materials.
• Detailed investigation of the optoelectronic and microstructural properties of perovskite absorber layers with various bandgaps processed with these methods.
• Development of industrially relevant high-rate processes for vapor-phase deposited perovskite top solar cells for application in perovskite-based tandem solar cells

You will publish and present your research results in scientific journals and international conferences and assist in project work and teaching. The position offers the opportunity for an in-service doctorate.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in physics, materials science, electrical engineering, chemistry or related subjects. Knowledge in optoelectronics and in the field of semiconductor physics is required. Experience with working in international teams as well as very good English skills complete your profile.