Doctoral (PhD) Position in Solar Cell Technology with focus on Nano-Optics for Agrivoltaics Full-time NEW

Doctoral (PhD) Position in Solar Cell Technology with Focus on Nano-Optics for Agrivoltaics

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization in Electronics, at the Division of Solar Cell Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University.

Join us!

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering, bachelors and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses, as well as an administrative division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 230 active co-workers.

The Division of Solar Cell Technology is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. Research at the division spans from physics, chemistry and electronics to materials science applications such as thin-film technology, materials development, and process technology. The common denominator is a drive to understand how light interacts with electro-optical materials and to use this understanding to make solar cells more efficient and potentially cheaper. Our goal is for the research to contribute to a sustainable electricity system with the sun as the energy source.

In agrivoltaics, land is co-utilized for crop growth and electricity production using solar cells. In this context, it is desirable to share the sunlight between the crop and solar cells such that the highest possible value is generated overall. With this in mind, the project aims to develop and investigate new concepts within agrivoltaics, where the interaction between light, solar cells and cultivated crops is controlled using nanostructured layers adjacent to the solar cells. The challenges and research questions lie within theoretical development, understanding and evaluation of new optical structures, experimental fabrication of desired structures, possibilities to scale up the technology, and experimental studies and evaluation of promising concepts in model and pilot systems of relevance for agrivoltaic systems at different scales.

For scaling up and possible commercialization of the technology, the project will be carried out in close collaboration with Mycronic AB, a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-precision equipment for photolithography, which is mainly used in the semiconductor and display industries. Mycronic's expertise in high-resolution patterning offers exciting opportunities to test structures on a larger scale and to transfer concepts into practical application within the next generation of solar cell technology.

The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their doctoral studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific doctoral research subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However, you work independently to a large extent, e.g. by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for scientific journals and contributing to your doctoral thesis. Usually some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

In the project, you will use theoretical models to develop and evaluate optical structures, and to analyze and understand optical measurements. A large part of your time will be devoted to experimental development of lithographic techniques for producing desired nanostructures, to various characterization methods for determining structural and optical properties, and to measurements of performance in relation to the agrivoltaics application.

Typical work tasks include:

• Experimental process development in a cleanroom environment
• Experimental measurements and analysis
• Computer-based modelling of nano-optics
• Summarizing and interpreting results Scientific writing (in English)
• Presentation in writing and speech (in English)
• Working in an interdisciplinary team with expertise in solar cell technology, agrivoltaics and nanotechnology.

To meet the general entry requirements for doctoral studies, the applicant must have completed a degree at second-cycle level, completed at least 240 credits of higher education studies, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level including an independent project of at least 15 credits, or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

A Master's degree or a Master of Science in Engineering degree in physics, engineering physics, materials science, or a related field, or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications.

• Documented knowledge in optics and electromagnetism
• Documented knowledge and experience of experimental work
• Good knowledge of programming in, for example, Matlab or Python.
• Good oral and written proficiency in English.

It is advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Work in a cleanroom environment
• Work with electron and photolithography, thin-film technology, optical characterization, and electron microscopy
• Optical modeling and simulation
• Solar cell physics and technology, sustainable energy and related technology

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You switch effectively between practical work in the laboratory and theoretical analysis at the computer. You have a strong ability to work with focus toward set goals, while maintaining a mindset open to new information and discoveries. You proactively address difficulties, and you are resilient and not deterred by setbacks. You have good communication skills, and you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

Your application must include:

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades.
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to.
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have agreed to be references for you, with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date in November 2026 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

Doctoral students at Uppsala University are covered by a doctoral salary ladder in accordance with the applicable local collective agreement. The first three years, the salary is determined based on the number of active years and then based on progression of the studies.

For further information about the position, please contact: Carl Hägglund, +46 731 0140 36, carl.hagglund@uu.se.

Please submit your application by September 16 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2449