PhD Position in Advanced Thin Films for High Performance and Scalable Photovoltaics

Center for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in “Advanced thin films for high performance and scalable photovoltaics”. The starting date is from 1 October 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter, for a 3-year period.

The application deadline is 5 September 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

What we offer 

The PhD position is a part of the SDU CAPE research center at the Mads Clausen Institute, SDU, where we focus on designing, developing, and bringing forward new sustainable solar energy conversion and storage technologies, in particular new thin film solar cells and modules. This PhD position is focused on development of scalable organic, hybrid and metal oxide thin films, as well as their integration by design into new sustainable thin film solar cells and modules. The project will be part of existing national and international collaborations, and research stays abroad is part of the position. 

The majority of your working time is devoted to your own research studies. As a PhD student you are expected to develop your own ideas and communicate scientific results in English. We offer a fully funded PhD position for the duration of three years. 

The successful applicant will be enrolled as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Engineering.

What we expect

Candidates who have a previous master’s degree in a field relevant to the mentioned PhD-project may seek the fellowship (material science, physics, chemistry, electrical engineering and similar). Preferred candidates have experience with some of the following: thin film fabrication and characterization, organic, hybrid and/or metal oxide semiconductors, thin films and interfaces, Roll-to-Roll coating technology, thin film photovoltaic cells and modules. Due to the strong cross-disciplinary nature of the work, the candidate is expected to have excellent collaboration skills. A very good capability of communicating scientific results in English, both orally and in writing is required.

Workplace description / Research environment 

We are an international research center working in the field of green energy technologies (CAPE), and we are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our CAPE research center at University of Southern Denmark (SDU), campus Sønderborg, for developing next-generation sustainable and high performance photovoltaics. We offer a modern, inclusive, international and interdisciplinary working environment with state-of-the-art facilities as well as a strong tradition of international collaboration. Our ambition is, to recruit, develop, and retain talented scholars committed to both academic excellence and departmental development.

Having a focus on green energy technologies - improving performance, device stability and up-scaling, the center has full access to an ISOS5 cleanroom and surface science laboratory facility for the preparation and characterization of thin films and photovoltaic devices, as well as a fully equipped Roll-to-Roll (R2R) facility for upscaling flexible devices. Our research center CAPE is a partner in various national and international research projects and networks that include collaboration partners from both academia and industry

Read more on: http://www.sdu.dk/en/stillinger

Contact information

For information about the Mads Clausen Institute, please see www.sdu.dk/en/mci. 

Further information about this position is available from Professor Morten Madsen, e-mail: madsenmci.sdu.dk

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-supportsdu.dk.

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position.

The monthly gross salary incl. pension is 35.707DKR. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step. 

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. 

Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission. Employment and enrollment will cease without further notice at the end of the period. A PhD fellow is not allowed to have any kind of sideline employment, while enrolled as PhD fellow at the faculty.

Employment as a PhD fellow governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information about salary and conditions of employment. 

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Application procedure

Before applying the candidates are expected to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students, the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering. 

The application shall include the following documents in English:

• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages). 
• Curriculum Vitae, including personal contact information, describing research, publications (if any), along with any other relevant information, e.g. teaching experience, computational skills etc.
• Certificates/Diplomas (bachelor’s and master’s degree) – incl. transcripts of grades in Danish and/or English. 
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: Please submit an official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• Three names and emails of researchers, who can provide an informed reference letter at short notice.
• Reference letters may also be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivation letter shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’. 

The application deadline is 5 September 2024 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Formalities

• Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB. 

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

About SDU and Sønderborg 

The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now as a multi-campus university has more than 27,000 students, almost 20% of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3,800 employees, and 115 different study programmes in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Its main campus is located in Odense, while the newest campus is located in Sønderborg. 

Sønderborg encompasses both a rural idyll and the pulse of the city center. Here you will find magnificent nature with beautiful forest and a long coastline, which invites to versatile water activities, but it is in many ways a distinct study city - from the student discounts on the cafés' menu, the shopping opportunities, a festive nightlife to an active and exciting study environment characterized by professional, cultural and social networks and events. And whether you are into sports, tango, art or jazz, you will find more than 700 voluntary associations and sports clubs to back you up and give the whole family ample opportunity to unfold and cultivate their interest. Sønderborg is also a model city in Denmark on energy sustainability, in which a full CO2 neutrality will be achieved by 2029.