Function:               R&D Engineer

Contract:              CDIO 

Starting date:      June 2026

Duration:               Approximatively 18 months

Workplace:           IPVF – 18 bd Thomas Gobert, 91120 Palaiseau (France)

Education:            PhD in Materials science

Ref.:                        PR-F-L-1-S

IPVF – Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France

IPVF is a scientific and technical pole dedicated to the research and development of solar technologies. It permanently hosts its own staff, as well as the employees of its partners and external companies. IPVF aims to become one of the world’s leading centers for research, innovation, and training in the field of energy transition.
IPVF primary objective is to improve the performance and competitiveness of photovoltaic cells and develop breakthrough technologies by relying on four levers:

• Ambitious research program.
• The hosting of more than 200 researchers and their laboratories on its Paris-Saclay site.
• A state-of-the-art technology platform (8,000 m²) open to the photovoltaic industry actors, with more than 100 state-of-the-art equipment units located in clean rooms.
• A training program mainly based on a master’s degree, the supervision of PhD students, and continuing education.

CONTEXT

As part of the European LAPERITIVO project, which brings together the best European institutes in the field of perovskite, we are looking for a doctor in inorganic chemistry or material science. The candidate will participate in the IPVF’s efforts to improve the performance, reliability, and stability of this new photovoltaic technology. He or she will join the team responsible for the mini-module manufacturing research program and will focus on the deposition of the perovskite absorber layer by slot-die coating, addressing various aspects.

The first part of the mission will consist of further improving the quality and stability of the material by varying the perovskite ink formulation, coating speeds, solvent extraction, and post-drying conditions. The quality of the material will be evaluated using several characterization techniques to study the morphological and optoelectronic properties of the structure, as well as its implementation in complete mini modules.

The second part of the mission will consist of making the perovskite deposition process more environmentally friendly. While the energy cost of the slot die process is very low, the use of toxic solvents requires the implementation of strict safety rules and waste treatment. This tends to complicate the scaling up of this technology when considering mass production. The goal will be to design new solvents mix to replace those currently in use.

Finally, the researcher will also participate in the joint research effort to establish a reference baseline bringing together all the latest progresses. At IPVF, an iterative approach has been adopted, based on a standard manufacturing process that is regularly updated in line with scientific advances made within the dedicated research project. He or she will participate in the scientific discussion to set up the experimental plan and will be involved in the manufacture of the devices.

MAIN MISSIONS 

– Design of perovskite ink and optimization of the slot die process :  Selection and benchmarking of additives, Variation in the composition of the perovskite layer, Design of an environmentally friendly solvent mixture

– Participation in the joint effort to maintain and develop standard manufacturing processes

– Characterization of photovoltaic materials and devices

– Management of generated data

– Promotion of results: presentation within the European project, communications (publications, conferences), patent

– Sharing of results with other IPVF projects involved in perovskite photovoltaics