UToledo Careers

Title: Post Doctoral Researcher

Department Org: Physics - 101190

Employee Classification: P1 - Post Doctoral Assoc FT-MC

Bargaining Unit: Professional Staff Association

Primary Location: MC AC

Shift:  1

Posted Salary: Salary will commensurate with experience

Job Description:

The Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC) at The University of Toledo invites applications from highly skilled and motivated researchers for postdoctoral research positions across several advanced photovoltaic solar cell material platforms.

The focus for these positions includes several key aspects of R&D to develop the next generation of space and orbital-flight multi-junction PV technologies. Specifically, PVIC aims to (A) identify, develop, and evaluate existing and novel absorber materials with relevance to multijunction architectures, (B) demonstrate advanced contacts and interconnection layers for thin film multijunction technologies, (C) identify, evaluate, and validate novel substrate/superstrate materials, (D) carry out AIAA-S-111-A qualification testing on completed cells, including temperature cycling, UV- and particle-radiation exposure/damage testing with quantification of remaining factors, and (E) develop PV cells configured for balloon and orbital flight tests, and fly cells to gain insights into resilience measures.

The successful candidates will work in collaboration with renowned faculty members including Professors Randy Ellingson, Michael Heben, Nikolas Podraza, Zhaoning Song, and Yanfa Yan on the design, synthesis, characterization, optimization, and advanced modeling of advanced PV materials and devices based on polycrystalline thin films of II-VI, perovskites, Sb2(S,Se)3, and other material types. Strategies also include the study of thermos-photovoltaics and ferroelectric junctions Successful candidates will be responsible for carrying out research activities related to fabricating thin film single junction, bifacial, and tandem solar cells, characterizing them via multiple measurement tools and methods, and analyzing the scientific basis for their performance. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/experience/skills:
- Ph.D. degree in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or closely related disciplines.
- Experience in the fabrication and optimization of single junction and tandem solar cells.

- Deep expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Surface and interface chemistry
- Spectroscopic ellipsometry
- Defect characterization and analysis
- Multi-dimensional device modeling and simulation
- Thin film deposition techniques, e.g. PVD, CVD, ALD, and sputtering
- Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy
- Transient absorption/reflection spectroscopy
- Transient photovoltage/photocurrent spectroscopy
- Impedance spectroscopy
- Admittance & Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy DLTS, EL, etc.
- Steady-state and time-resolved electroluminescence spectroscopy
- Tunnel junctions and contact design
- Advanced material characterization techniques (e.g., AFM, TEM, SEM, XRD)
- PV applications for space power (e.g. cosmic particle exposure modeling, testing, analysis)
- Mini-module design and fabrication via laser-scribed monolithic integration
- Solar cell encapsulation and durability testing
- Other PV related optical and electrochemical characterization

Communication and other skills:

- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to analyze and interpret experimental results and present findings in scientific meetings and publications.
- Strong background in material synthesis, solar cell fabrication, and characterization.
- Expertise with various optical and electrical characterization techniques.
- Experience with ultrafast spectroscopy and drift-diffusion simulation is a plus
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

Conditions of Employment:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Toledo is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. The University of Toledo does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, disability, familial status, or political affiliation. 

The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, dual-career professionals and covered veterans.

The University of Toledo provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete this application, or for testing or interviewing, please contact the HR Compliance at  hrcompliance@utoledo.edu or 419-530-4747 between the hours of 8:30AM and 5:00PM or apply online for an accommodation request. 

Computer access is available at most public libraries and at the Office of Human Resources located in the Center for Administrative Support on the Main Campus of the University of Toledo.