SD-25XXX 8 PhD POSITIONS ON THE “SUN-POWERED ENERGY TRANSITION” (SPETRA)

at  Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology LIST

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).

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.

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 andContact 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.

EDUCATION

Master

Please refer the Job description for details