Master thesis: LED/laser annealing of perovskites for roll-to-roll processing

AMOLF; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 5,600 - 10,000; Full time

Job summary

AMOLF in Amsterdam offers a Master thesis internship to study LED/laser annealing of perovskites for roll-to-roll processing in solar cells. You will learn to control crystallization dynamics using light-assisted methods and scalable deposition techniques.

The project combines spin-coating with a programmable robot and a slot-die coater to explore industrially relevant processing routes and advanced characterization tools.

Qualifications

• Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or related field.
• EU nationality and/or student at a Dutch university.
• Internship must be mandatory in your curriculum; availability for at least 5 months.

Responsibilities

• Study if laser/LED can control crystallization dynamics of perovskites for solar cells.
• Use confocal laser scanning microscopy, SEM and cathodoluminescence for characterization.
• Spin-coat perovskites with a programmable robot to test different recipes.
• Explore integration of light-based annealing into scalable coating processes.

Education

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

Tools

Confocal laser scanning microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy

Cathodoluminescence

Job description

Master thesis project: LED/laser annealing of perovskites for roll-to-roll processing

Work Activities

In this project, you will study if laser/LED can be used to control the crystallization dynamics of perovskites for solar cells, using confocal laser scanning microscopy, secondary electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence. You will spin-coat perovskites using a programmable robot (spinbot), which allows rapid fabrication of thin films with different types of recipes. In addition, you will use our new slot-die coater, a deposition technique closely related to industrial roll-to-roll processing. This provides an opportunity to explore how light- based annealing methods can be integrated into scalable coating processes and how they influence the crystallization of perovskite films during deposition.

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 Photonic Materials group (https://amolf.nl/research-groups/photonic-materials) focuses on three main research themes:

• Quantum cathodoluminescence microscopy
• Light management in photovoltaics
• Optical metamaterials

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. Albert Polman (https://amolf.nl/?s=albert) or dr. Tom Veeken (https://amolf.nl/people/tom-veeken)

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).