PhD Studentship in Transient Absorption Microscopy of Solar Cells

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU) is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project described below at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training.

This is a unique opportunity to develop a new transient absorption spectroscopy and microscopy approach to exploring photovoltaic and photocatalytic devices under operation. The North East Transient Absorption Spectroscopy and Microscopy Facility is the first of its kind in the UK. We will apply this technique to identify all bottlenecks in the energy conversion processes essential to making solar technology and materials for energy more productive. This will support the design of more efficient solar devices, where ReNU has internationally-leading expertise. We will investigate commercial photovoltaic and photoelectrocatalytic devices from project partners worldwide, and emerging technology from academic partners both within and external to ReNU. The knowledge gained will be used to develop more efficient and robust technologies to accelerate the transition from lab to commercial scale.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2022 for 4 years.

Sponsor

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Supervisors

Newcastle University: Dr Elizabeth Gibson

Durham University: Prof Chris Groves

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic excellence 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Academic excellence in an appropriate subject area relevant to proposed project.
• The award is available to UK and international applicants only. Depending on how you meet the EPSRC’s eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to a full or a partial award. If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)

How To Apply

Applicant should include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and include the advert reference number.

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create an account’. All relevant fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. You will need to:

·        Insert the programme code 8208F in the programme of study section

·        Select PhD Energy Materials as the programme of study

·        Insert the advert reference number renu2202 in the studentship/partnership reference field

·        Attach a covering letter and CV, quote code renu2202, and state how your interests and experience relate to the project

·        Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Newcastle University values individual differences and the diversity that this brings. We want to ensure that no-one is at a disadvantage because of who they are. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, and requests for flexible study (e.g. part-time) are welcomed.

Applicant should include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and include the advert reference number.

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create an account’. All relevant fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. You will need to:

·        Insert the programme code 8208F in the programme of study section

·        Select PhD Energy Materials as the programme of study

·        Insert the advert reference number renu2202 in the studentship/partnership reference field

·        Attach a covering letter and CV, quote code renu2202, and state how your interests and experience relate to the project

·        Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Newcastle University values individual differences and the diversity that this brings. We want to ensure that no-one is at a disadvantage because of who they are. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, and requests for flexible study (e.g. part-time) are welcomed.