Key Skills

Job Description

Master thesis project: IMPLS to Enable Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Work Activities Our lab is developing a promising technique, Intensity-Modulated Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (IMPLS), which can probe the dynamic electronic and ionic behavior of perovskite materials purely optically. In this project, you will explore the potential of IMPLS to study perovskite solar cells. By performing temperature-dependent IMPLS measurements across a broad frequency range, the characteristic timescales of slow processes can be extracted and analyzed to estimate activation energies associated with ion migration or trap- related processes. The outcome of this work aims to establish temperature-dependent IMPLS as a powerful diagnostic tool to identify the underlying dynamic processes in perovskite materials and to provide deeper insight into the mechanisms that affect the performance and stability. Qualifications You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field. You have a nationality of an EU-member state and/or you are a student at a university in the Netherlands. The internship has to be a mandatory part of your curriculum. We expect you to be available for at least 5 months, although longer is preferable. Work environment AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl The Hybrid Solar Cell Group (https://amolf.nl/research-groups/hybrid-solar-cells) researches the next generation of solar cells using hybrid materials like metal halide perovskites. We develop a deep understanding of material properties and their impact on device performance. Our focus is on improving the stability of perovskite solar cells, addressing ion migration as a key challenge. We have developed unique techniques to study and suppress ion migration and explore new applications for ion migration. By combining the excellent semiconducting properties of perovskites with mobile ions, we develop devices for memory applications. Working conditions At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor. AMOLF Energy Research Academy (https://www.lmpv.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-2027-AMOLF-Energy-Research-Academy-program.pdf): AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF. More information? For further information about the position, please contact prof. dr. Bruno Ehrler (https://amolf.nl/people/bruno-ehrler) or dr. Tom Veeken (https://amolf.nl/people/tom-veeken) Application You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below. Please annex your: Motivation letter; Resume; List of followed courses plus grades. Online screening may be part of the selection. Diversity code AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability. AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Conduct temperature-dependent Intensity-Modulated Photoluminescence Spectroscopy measurements across a broad frequency range on perovskite solar cells. Analyze characteristic timescales and estimate activation energies to investigate ion migration and trap-related processes affecting device performance and stability.

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in a master's program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field, and the internship must be a mandatory part of their curriculum. Applicants must be an EU national and/or study at a university in the Netherlands, and be available for at least five months.