The research group EMAT (Electron Microscopy for Materials Science) at the University of Antwerp (Belgium) announces an open Ph.D. position on using transmission electron microscopy to characterize materials for solar fuel applications. The research will be done within the ERANET-project “Innovative Material Systems for Solar Energy Harvesting in Photoelectrochemical Cells“(InSOL)”, in close collaboration with German and Indian partners. In this project, we aim to perform comprehensive theoretical and experimental investigations for the development of new graphene based earth-abundant material heterostructures for solar energy conversion through photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. The key objective of this study is to identify new material combinations yielding high photon absorption and conversion efficiency under the constraint of using earth-abundant elements only. The current Ph.D. position pertains the performance of the structural study of the materials using transmission electron microscopy.
The Ph.D. student will be appointed for a period of three years and will form part of a world-class research environment with state-of-the-art instrumentation (see also https://www.uantwerp.be/en/rg/emat/).
The Ph.D. student will be expected to:
- gain the necessary skills and knowledge on different advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques (HR-TEM, HR-EDX, HAADF-STEM, ABF-STEM, electron diffraction, BF-TEM, DF-TEM);
- perform the study by transmission electron microscopy of the structure and composition at atomic, nano and micrometer scale of layers and interfaces in nano-heterostuctures comprising earth abundant materials with superior visible-light activity;
- relate the structure and defects therein to the properties measured by the partners in the project;
- write and publish scientific papers in peer reviewed journals on the findings of this research.
Profile for application:
Candidates for this challenging project should have a Master’s degree and a background in Physics, Chemistry or Materials Science. Good knowledge of crystallography is preferable. The candidate must be enthusiastic and greatly interested in structural studies at an atomic sscale. A background in electron microscopy will be considered as a plus, but is not necessary. In addition to this, a good command of the English language is required.
For more information on this position, contact Prof. Dr. Joke Hadermann (j.hadermann@uantwerpen.be).
