8 PhD Positions on the “Sun-powered Energy Transition” (Spetra)

Temporary contracts | 48 months | Belval or Luxembourg city 

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us 

Are you motivated to work in a diverse and multidisciplinary team?

Would you like to help this team solve fundamental questions that can lead to more sustainable energy and technologies? 

If so, you may be the person we are seeking for a PhD in SPETRA, a special doctoral training program focused on materials for the sun-powered energy transition. The SPETRA students will be supervised by researchers at the Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology (LIST) and the University of Luxembourg (uni.lu), and they will work on cutting-edge problems that cover different ways in which sun light can be used as an energy source. 

It is widely recognized that a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring a habitable planet. The increased use of solar and wind energy is the most effective option.

Photovoltaics must play a central role in the energy production, and renewable “green hydrogen” is urgently needed as a fuel in sectors where electrification is not viable (e.g., heavy transportation) and for energy storage. Our ability to tackle the climate challenge will depend on the discovery or optimization of materials that enable an efficient sunlight-to-energy conversion and production of green hydrogen. Ultimately, it all relies on basic physical and chemical processes by which sunlight is captured by suitable materials.

SPETRA will run 8 cutting-edge research projects aiming exactly at that: We have assembled a team of experts from the University of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology. We will explore the most advanced photovoltaic materials for a direct sun-to-electricity conversion (4 projects), as well as alternative strategies that may allow us to create even more efficient solar panels by also making use of the heat generated by sunlight (2 projects). Additionally, we will study approaches to obtain hydrogen from water via chemical reactions (and novel catalytic materials) that we will optimize so sunlight boosts their efficiency (2 projects). 

How will you contribute? 

SPETRA will run 8 PhD projects, which naturally split in three groups. 

Photovoltaics – 4 PhD positions (Projects 1 – 4) 

Two students will investigate defects in the wide gap solar absorber material Cu(InGa)S2, a semiconductor used in super-efficient tandem solar cells. 

The student in Project 1 will investigate defects experimentally, mainly using photoluminescence techniques. This project will be supervised by Prof. Susanne Siebentrit 

The student in Project 2 will use advanced first-principles simulation methods to the same end. If you have an interest in solar cells and semiconductors physics, and some experience either in the lab or in quantum-mechanical simulations, these projects may be ideal for you! This project will be supervised by Prof. Ludger Wirtz. 

Two student (Project 3 and Project 4) will focus on chalcogenide perovskite materials, which are abundant, non-toxic and extremely stable, making them ideal candidates for use as absorber layers for tandem and indoor photovoltaic applications. The students will investigate the synthesis of powders and thin films with the aim to characterize their opto-electronic properties and eventually fabricate functioning demonstrator devices. If you are interested in materials processing toward actual devices, these projects may be ideal for you! 

Project 3 will be supervised by Prof. Phil Dale, while Project 4 will be supervised by Prof. Alex Redinger. 

Sun-powered catalysis – 2 PhD positions (Projects 5 & 6) 

In Project 5 a student will study combined pyro- and photo-catalysis for water splitting using ferroelectric materials. The experimental work will consist of synthesis of oxide and polymer materials, their microstructural/functional characterization, and catalytic tests. If you are interested in how Chemistry and Physics come together to power new strategies for catalysis, this project may be for you! This project will be supervised by Dr. Sebastjan Glinšek 

The student in Project 6 will design microreactors that enhance photocatalytic efficiency using porous capsules as optical traps, loaded with photocatalysts. The experimental work will involve the synthesis of suitable optical traps and photocatalysts, evaluating their performance for efficient water splitting under light irradiation. If you are interested in colloidal chemistry with a touch of nano-optics, this project may be for you! This will be supervised by Dr. Jean-Sebastién Thomann. 

Pyroelectric energy harvesting – 2 PhD positions (Projects 7 & 8) 

Two students will focus on the pyroelectric effect, i.e. the change in electric polarization in response to a temperature variation. This effect can be very strong in ferroelectric materials, and it can be used to harvest energy from temperature changes. We will investigate both experimentally (Project 7) and theoretically (Project 8) the phase transitions characteristic of the thermodynamic cycles used for pyroelectric energy harvesting, looking for optimization strategies to improve efficiency. If you are interested in phase transitions and functional materials, using either experiment or theory, one of these projects may be for you! 

Project 7 will be supervised by Prof. Emmanuel Defay, while Project 8 will be supervised by Prof. Jorge Íñiguez-González. 

Be part of an exciting team of PhD students!

The students will form a team of 8 doctoral candidates associated to the Doctoral Training Unit SPETRA, which gathers experts from the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology and the University of Luxembourg. The students will benefit from a unique programme designed to train a group of experts on the sun-powered energy transition, covering all aspects of the problem – from experiment to theory, from fundamental to applied, from physics and chemistry to the whole global energy system. The collaborative team effort will rely on secondments (extended visits) of the doctoral candidates to other groups of the network, as well as on periodic SPETRA events. Besides the science itself, other key aspects of today’s work as a scientist – from management to communication skills – will be covered, and to a large extent tailored to the specific interest of the students. 

You can find more information about the SPETRA project and the thesis supervisors at https://www.uni.lu/research-en/research-projects/spetra/. 

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now! 

We are looking for candidates who are passionate about research and excited about being part of a team of PhD students who will work a lot together. A master’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or a related discipline is required. 

All applications should include:

• A motivation letter (please indicate your preferred Projects (up to 3) in the motivation letter)
• A CV,
• An academic record with grades and
• Contact information for two researchers/professors who can provide reference letters.

For additional information, please contact Prof. Phil Dale (phillip.dale@uni.lu, recruitment coordinator) or Prof. Jorge Íñiguez-González (jorge.iniguez@list.lu, SPETRA coordinator). 

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered. 

Application procedure and conditions

• We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.
• We are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.
• Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above. 

Please note that by applying you consent to share your application with the SPETRA supervisors:

• Prof. Phillip Dale, University of Luxembourg
• Prof. Emmanuel Defay, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology & University of Luxembourg
• Dr. Sebastjan Glinsek, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
• Prof. Jorge Íñiguez-González, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology & University of Luxembourg
• Prof. Alex Redinger, University of Luxembourg
• Prof. Susanne Siebentritt, University of Luxembourg
• Dr. Jean-Sébastien Thomann, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
• Prof. Ludger Wirtz, University of Luxembourg

PhD additional conditions:

Ideally, all the SPETRA students will start between March and September 2025.

Your master diploma must be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:

https://www.uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/

https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html

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