Exciting Research Opportunity: PhD Student in Intelligent Lab for High-Throughput Solar Cell Characterization

ZHAW seeks a PhD candidate in physics to design automated systems for high-throughput solar cell characterization, collaborating with the University of Zurich.

This PhD position, awarded in physics in partnership with the University of Zurich, sits within the Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics section of the Institute of Computational Physics. The role focuses on investigating solar cell physics through innovative characterization and modeling techniques.

Responsibilities

• Create and build automated measurement setups for evaluating photovoltaic devices.
• Combine robotics, motion control, sensors, and measurement tools into a single experimental platform.
• Engineer software and hardware for automatic sample handling, data collection, and measurement execution.
• Study and analyze how perovskite solar cells degrade over time.
• Share research findings through scientific papers and conference presentations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong enthusiasm for automation, robotics, instrumentation, control systems, or scientific hardware development.
• Practical experience with electronics, mechanical design, automation systems, or experimental instrumentation.
• Foundational knowledge of semiconductor physics and technology.
• Proficient written and spoken English communication skills.

Nice to have

• Background in motion-control systems, robotics, machine vision, or industrial automation.
• Experience with scientific instrumentation and data acquisition.
• Understanding of photovoltaic devices, renewable-energy technologies, or semiconductor characterization.

What the company offers

• Employment terms and conditions aligned with those of higher education institutions.
• Active support for professional growth in both leadership and non-leadership roles.

About the company

ZHAW fosters gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation. The team consists of motivated scientists performing cutting-edge fundamental and applied research.

• Commitment to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation.
• Team of motivated scientists performing cutting-edge fundamental and applied research.