PhD Studentship: Photophysics and charge dynamics in semiconductors for solar cells

Project title: Photophysics and charge dynamics in semiconductors for solar cells  

PhD Supervisor: Silvia Motti

Supervisory Team: Silvia Motti and V. Apostolopoulos

Project description

Funded PhD studentship for an enthusiastic student interested in understanding and exploiting light-matter interactions for the development of affordable and efficient solar cells for a green energy future.

The most exciting innovations in solar energy technology over the past few years have been driven by hybrid metal halide perovskite semiconductors. They offer high performance and low-cost fabrication. Crucially, they are also exceptionally versatile and tunable, which makes them ideal for multi-junction devices that can surpass the fundamental efficiency limits of traditional devices. This strategy will be key for making solar energy generation viable at a large scale.

The development and optimisation of these technologies require a good understanding of the photophysics of multi-layered structures that form a functional photovoltaic device.

This project aims to investigate the charge transport and transfer dynamics in multi-layered semiconductor structures, and to improve efficiencies and stability of a new generation of affordable, high-efficiency solar cells.

Perovskite optoelectronics is one of the most exciting fields of research to emerge in recent years, offering stimulating scientific questions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and great technological potential.

During this project, the successful candidate will take part in this dynamic field and develop a strong background for a future career in academic research or emerging industries.

This project offers good balance of experimental work and theoretical analysis, access to state-of-the art facilities, and interaction with international collaborators.

The student will develop interdisciplinary skills in thin-film processing and characterisation (X-ray scattering, electron microscopy), operation of lasers and optical setups (microscopy, absorption and photoluminescence, ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy, terahertz photoconductivity), programming (data analysis, numerical methods, and modelling), as well as project planning, management, and other valuable transferrable skills. The student will be offered comprehensive support and guidance, while also being encouraged to develop independence and leadership.

This project will be supervised by Dr Silvia Motti and will integrate the Semiconductor Photophysics group and the wider Quantum, Light, and Matter group of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton.

You can find some relevant publications below:

Nature Photonics, 13, 532, 2019.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-019-0435-1

Nano Letters, 19(6), 3953–3960, 2019.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01242

Nature Communications, 2021, 12(1), 6955.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26930-4

The group offers a welcoming and inclusive environment, a friendly and supportive local community, and flexible arrangements. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or related field.

Closing date: applications should be received no later than 31 August 2023 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Physics (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Silvia Motti

Applications should include:

• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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