Doctoral Student (f/m/d) for Scalable Processing and Characterization of Ionic Liquid-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Doctoral Student (f/m/d) for Scalable Processing and Characterization of Ionic Liquid-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Reference No.: SE 2026/10

This PhD position is jointly advertised by the research group of Prof. Eva Unger at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), and the research group of Prof. Somin Park at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The project is funded within the framework of the EFAPP project and the Singapore Research Attachment Programme (SRAP). The first two years of the PhD are planned to take place at NUS, followed by two years at HZB and HU. The aim of the project is to develop sustainable manufacturing processes for halide perovskite solar cells with potential applications in tandem solar cells. The research focuses on the optimisation and scientific investigation of ionic liquids as precursor inks for the scalable fabrication of perovskite solar cells under ambient conditions using slot-die coating. The PhD project will focus on investigating the chemistry of the precursor inks, analysing perovskite formation and crystallisation dynamics using in situ methods, and fabricating and characterising small-area solar cell demonstrators. In addition, the stability and reliability of both the precursor inks and the resulting devices will be investigated. The PhD position is based at HZB, while the doctoral degree will be awarded by HU under the supervision of Prof. Eva Unger. Throughout the project, you will work closely with researchers at both institutions and complete a research stay at NUS as part of the SRAP programme.

Your Tasks

• You develop and optimize ionic liquid-based precursor inks and investigate their crystallization behaviour under ambient processing conditions using in-situ process metrology techniques.
• You scale the perovskite thin-film deposition to larger-area devices and modules using solution-based scalable processing methodologies such as slot-die coating.
• You carry out advanced structural, optical, and spectroscopic characterization of processed thin films.
• You contribute to process optimization, reliability studies, and international collaboration activities between NUS and HZB.

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in materials science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, or related disciplines with strong interest in thin-film photovoltaics
• Knowledge of laboratory-based materials characterization techniques; experience with perovskites, ionic liquids, or solution chemistry is advantageous
• Desirable: experience with spectroscopy, XRD, PL, SEM, GIWAXS, coating techniques, or process monitoring methods
• Excellent teamwork skills and willingness to contribute to an international research programme spanning Singapore and Germany
• Excellent English skills (C1 level or higher)

Your Benefits

• You will be a member of the team of Eva Unger at the Department Solution-Processing of Hybrid Materials and Devices at HZB with access to state-of-the-art photovoltaic laboratories at HZB (HySPRINT Photovoltaics Lab) and HU (JointLab GenFAB) and synchrotron characterization infrastructure (BESSY II).
• You will work in an international and interdisciplinary environment in collaboration with leading research groups in Germany and Singapore.
• You will contribute to scalable and sustainable next-generation photovoltaic technologies while benefiting from qualification and training opportunities through the HZB Graduate Center.
• The HZB offers flexible working conditions, health and sports programmes, subsidy for public transport (Jobticket) and much more.

• Within the framework of the Singapore Research Attachment Programme (SRAP), you will spend up to two years at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in a highly international research environment.
• The SRAP programme provides financial support during the Singapore attachment, including stipend, housing, travel, and conference allowances.
• You will gain access to advanced research infrastructure and collaborate closely with researchers working on scalable halide perovskite photovoltaics.
• The research attachment combines materials development at NUS with advanced characterization and reliability studies at HZB.

Fixed term contract for 48 months.The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).

We very much want our workplace to be diverse, and welcome applications from people with different backgrounds.It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce.We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women.Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.

For German version, please click on the following link: German Version.

CONTACT

Prof. Dr. Eva Unger