Postdoctoral Research Associate in in-situ analysis of printing perovskite PV (Knowledge Transfer Partnership)

About the Role

We are seeking a post-doctoral research associate to drive an innovative project between Power Roll Ltd. and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The project is an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Power Roll and QMUL. The successful candidate will hold a PhD or equivalent experience in chemistry, physics, or materials science. Expertise in optoelectronics, photovoltaics, perovskites, slot-die coating, or optical characterisation is highly desirable.

This role is a unique opportunity to apply your knowledge within a groundbreaking collaboration between QMUL's School of Physical and Chemical Sciences—part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering—and Power Roll, a leader in disruptive energy technologies.

Based primarily at Power Roll's world-class R&D facility in Sunderland, you will be employed by QMUL and have access rights to facilitate your work at Power Roll, with periodic travel to QMUL for research and training.

This position is funded for an initial 24-month term, with a targeted start in June 2025. Join us in redefining the future of solar energy by making sustainable, flexible solar film a globally accessible solution. This position offers £4,000 for personal development grant. This grant is offered by Power Roll for this position only.

About You

Candidates should hold a PhD or possess equivalent research qualifications and experience in chemistry, physics, or materials science. They should demonstrate expertise in optoelectronics, photovoltaics, perovskite materials, or slot-die coating, and a proficiency in optical analysis, particularly for materials and device characterization. 

About the School/Department/Project

The purpose of this role is to drive innovation in flexible solar technology through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Power Roll and QMUL. As the KTP Associate, you will lead the development and integration of in-situ optical analysis within Power Roll’s roll-to-roll photovoltaic manufacturing process. This pioneering work will enable Power Roll to accelerate the production and commercial scaling of affordable, lightweight solar film, directly contributing to the renewable energy sector’s growth.

By bridging academic research and industry application, you will play a central role in translating advanced research into scalable production solutions, helping Power Roll bring its revolutionary solar technology to market.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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