Internship: Autonomous synthesis and characterization of thin films

AMOLF; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 6,696 - 8,928; Full time

Job summary

AMOLF in Amsterdam is seeking a Master’s student for an internship focused on the autonomous synthesis and characterization of thin films. You will engage in automated thin-film fabrication and apply machine learning methods for optimization while operating a materials synthesis platform.

The ideal candidate should be in a relevant Master’s program and be available for at least 5 months. AMOLF is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging all qualified candidates to apply.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master's program related to the field.
• EU-nationality or student at a Dutch university required.
• Availability for at least 5 months as part of curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Operate the autonomous materials synthesis platform.
• Apply machine learning methods for optimization.
• Integrate concepts from fluid dynamics and robotics.

Skills

Automated thin-film fabrication

Machine learning methods

Fluid dynamics

Robotics

Education

Master's program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or related field

Job description

Overview

Internship/Master project: Autonomous synthesis and characterization of thin films

Work Activities

Automated thin-film fabrication, particularly spin coating systems integrated with robotic handling and high throughput characterization. The workflow now enables the synthesis of hundreds of samples per day, exceeding 500 samples in the HELIOS setup built at AMOLF. The project investigates the feasibility of dynamically mixing precursor solutions during the spin-coating process rather than preparing each composition beforehand. You will operate the autonomous materials synthesis platform, apply machine learning methods for optimization, and integrate concepts from fluid dynamics and robotics to enable accelerated materials discovery.

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 initiates 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 Nanoscale Solar Cells group synthesizes advanced metal and semiconducting nanostructures, characterizes their material properties and integrates them into novel device structures with the aim of improving our fundamental understanding of light absorption, charge separation, recombination and transport at the nanometer scale.

We have 2 main focus areas: improving halide perovskite solar cells and using light to drive and monitor chemical reactions.

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: 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. Erik Garnett or dr. 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).

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