PhD student in Stable Solar Cells for sustainable energy generation

We have the power of over 40,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting the challenges of the day. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!
This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

Read more: https://wise-materials.org

We are looking for a PhD student in Stable Next-Generation Solar Cells for sustainable energy generation.

Your work assignments

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and organic solar cells (OSCs) are considered as next-generation solar cells to transform solar energy into electrical energy. Compared with the commercial silicon solar cells, these next-generation solar cells have unique advantages. For example, they can be manufactured through low-cost printing technologies (the raw materials can be dissolved in organic solvents and thus used as ink); they can be made semi-transparent with selectable colors which can be used architecturally in building integration, thus delivering both aesthetic and environmental benefits; they have a shorter energy payback time compared with other solar cells technologies (energy needed for production of these solar cells is available after less than one year of use under typical sunlight conditions in northern Europe).

These next-generation solar cells have shown a high-power conversion efficiency similar to conventional silicon solar cells. This project aims to improve the long-term stability of these solar cells, paving the way towards their practical applications. One of the focuses will be the charge-transport layer, which presents a bottleneck of the overall stability of these new solar cells. The PhD studies will include processing of materials and components, together with characterization of optoelectronic material properties and device performance.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your qualifications
You have graduated at Master’s level in Physics, Chemistry, Materials or a related field with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses Physics, Chemistry, Materials or a related field. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.


• It is an advantage to have prior experimental experience of what is described in the job description above— especially that related to materials/device development, and/or physics.
• You should be highly motivated and have excellent skills in working collaboratively as part of a team.
• You are expected to openly share information pertaining to their research with other group members and contribute to scientific discussions concerning their and other group members’ work.
• Undertake the research activities described in the Project description of work and as requested by the Supervisor.
• Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.
• If asked by your supervisor, take responsibility for specific equipment and laboratory infrastructure, including equipment maintenance, to enable the smooth running of the laboratory.

Please include a Letter of Intent, specifying:
1, why you want to do a PhD
2, why you are interested in this position
3, why you believe that you are qualified for this position.

Your workplace

The group led by Prof. Feng Gao focuses on solution-processed energy materials/ devices, mainly based on semiconducting perovskites and organic semiconductors. The group is part of the Division of Electronic and Photonic Materials, where we develop photonic and electronic materials energy conversion and storage.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives
Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than 1 June, 2023.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!


Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as vendors of job advertisements.