Research positions
Web location http://www.fom.nl/live/english/positions/vacature.pag?objectnumber=102481
PhD Position: Spectroscopy on excitons and charges in molecular materials for solar cells
Research
Currently there is great interest in the use of organic molecules as the active component in cheap and flexible solar cells. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the BASF company. Particular interest exists in phthalocyanine molecules, due to large absorption of the infrared part of the solar spectrum and prospects for achieving a higher cell voltage. To realize solar cells on basis of these molecules fundamental understanding of the steps from light absorption to generation of free charges that can contribute to the photocurrent is essential.
The aim of the project is to provide insights into the influence of the chemical structure of the molecules and the thin film nanostructure on charge and exciton mobility and lifetime.
Job description
You will study the dynamics of excitons and charge carriers with femtosecond and nanosecond pump-probe laser techniques, including microwave and terahertz conductivity measurements. In addition high-energy electron pulses can be used to specifically generate charges. You will study to which extent exciton diffusion and exciton dissociation into mobile charges can be optimized. Particular attention will be paid to charge generation in composite systems of phthalocyanines and C60 as electron acceptor. The mechanism of motion of excitons and charges in the materials will be characterized.
Location
You will carry out research in the Sections Optoelectronic Materials and Nanostructured Materials at TU Delft (web: www.dct.tudelft.nl/om or www.dct.tudelft.nl/nsm). The groups have different pulsed laser and electron accelerator systems to study excitons and charges in self-assembling (bio)molecular materials, polymers and quantum dots. In addition we have XRD, AFM, TEM facilities for structural characterization.
Requirements
Candidates must have a university degree in physics or chemistry, and ideally have experience with time resolved spectroscopy.
Conditions of Employment
When fulfilling a PhD position at the FOM foundation, you will get the status of junior scientist.
You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers. You will get a contract for 4 years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 2,610 euro gross per month.
You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four year term with FOM.
A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. This plan also defines which teaching activities you will be responsible (up to a maximum of 10% of your time). The conditions of employment of the FOM-foundation are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (CAO-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English).
General information about working at FOM can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'FOM-sollicitatiecode' (in Dutch) applies to this position.
Contact
Prof.dr. Laurens D.A. Siebbeles
e-mail: vacancies-om-tnw@tudelft.nl
Website
http://www.dct.tudelft.nl/om
Applications
Prof.dr. Laurens D.A. Siebbeles
e-mail: vacancies-om-tnw@tudelft.nl
Please send your CV, a letter of motivation (1/2 A4) and letter(s) of recommendation.
Currently there is great interest in the use of organic molecules as the active component in cheap and flexible solar cells. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the BASF company. Particular interest exists in phthalocyanine molecules, due to large absorption of the infrared part of the solar spectrum and prospects for achieving a higher cell voltage. To realize solar cells on basis of these molecules fundamental understanding of the steps from light absorption to generation of free charges that can contribute to the photocurrent is essential.
The aim of the project is to provide insights into the influence of the chemical structure of the molecules and the thin film nanostructure on charge and exciton mobility and lifetime.
Job description
You will study the dynamics of excitons and charge carriers with femtosecond and nanosecond pump-probe laser techniques, including microwave and terahertz conductivity measurements. In addition high-energy electron pulses can be used to specifically generate charges. You will study to which extent exciton diffusion and exciton dissociation into mobile charges can be optimized. Particular attention will be paid to charge generation in composite systems of phthalocyanines and C60 as electron acceptor. The mechanism of motion of excitons and charges in the materials will be characterized.
Location
You will carry out research in the Sections Optoelectronic Materials and Nanostructured Materials at TU Delft (web: www.dct.tudelft.nl/om or www.dct.tudelft.nl/nsm). The groups have different pulsed laser and electron accelerator systems to study excitons and charges in self-assembling (bio)molecular materials, polymers and quantum dots. In addition we have XRD, AFM, TEM facilities for structural characterization.
Requirements
Candidates must have a university degree in physics or chemistry, and ideally have experience with time resolved spectroscopy.
Conditions of Employment
When fulfilling a PhD position at the FOM foundation, you will get the status of junior scientist.
You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers. You will get a contract for 4 years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 2,610 euro gross per month.
You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four year term with FOM.
A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. This plan also defines which teaching activities you will be responsible (up to a maximum of 10% of your time). The conditions of employment of the FOM-foundation are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (CAO-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English).
General information about working at FOM can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'FOM-sollicitatiecode' (in Dutch) applies to this position.
Contact
Prof.dr. Laurens D.A. Siebbeles
e-mail: vacancies-om-tnw@tudelft.nl
Website
http://www.dct.tudelft.nl/om
Applications
Prof.dr. Laurens D.A. Siebbeles
e-mail: vacancies-om-tnw@tudelft.nl
Please send your CV, a letter of motivation (1/2 A4) and letter(s) of recommendation.