PhD student Techno-economic analysis and life cycle analysis of the upscaling of flexible perovskite solar cells

Background
The Environmental Economics (EEC) Research Group focuses on the sustainability assessment of clean technologies, in particular sustainable aviation fuels and photovoltaics. We are embedded in the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK) research institute and the Energyville research collaboration. You will be supervised by Prof. dr. Sebastien Lizin.
This vacancy is the result of the H2020 project “LUMINOSITY” being funded and follows up on the PERCISTAND project. The objective of the H2020 project is to demonstrate roll-to-roll processed photovoltaic modules with power conversion efficiency of >20% at an area of >900 cm2, and thus overcome the efficiency gap between lab-scale and fab-scale processed devices. The H2020 project is coordinated by TNO and the consortium consisting of multiple, international organizations encompasses the full value chain from research and technology developers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, to industrial end-users. For this project, you will work closely with HyET solar.

Job content
You will be contributing to the LUMINOSITY project by carrying out and reporting about the techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) of the upscaling of the manufacturing of flexible perovskite solar cells. The goal being to evaluate and stimulate the competitiveness of LUMINOSITY technology compared to existing substitutes and as such to contribute to its technological development.
Main goals, besides producing the deliverables for the research project, are the preparation of your doctoral thesis through the publication of scientific research articles in top international journals and the expansion of the research network for example by participating in international academic conferences. You will have a limited teaching assignment tailored to your background and PhD.

Profile

• You have obtained the degree of master in business engineering, master in engineering, master in economics, or equivalent or you will obtain such a degree by July 2024
• You are able to start the latest on 01/09/2024.
• You have excellent grades, as demonstrated by your bachelor and master transcripts.
• You have experience with data collection, quantitative research methods, and the matching software.
• You have good command of the English language, knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
• Experience with multi-disciplinary (research) project work is a plus.
• Experience with life cycle analysis and techno-economic analysis or equivalent is a plus
• Experience with such analyses on renewable energy technology or PV in particular is a plus.

Offer
You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
• You will receive a doctoral grant for four years on the condition of a positive evaluation after 2 years. • You will become a team member of the internationally-oriented environmental economics research group of Hasselt University where you will learn how to become an independent researcher that produces high-quality output. • You have the opportunity to benefit from our doctoral schools training and will be challenged to devise your own learning trajectory. •You have the opportunity to engage with both academic, research and technology, and industrial stakeholders throughout the LUMINOSITY project and build your career network.

Selection procedure
You can only apply online up to and including 31 May 2024.
The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.
Preselection is based on (1) CV, (2) bachelor and master transcripts and diplomas (3) motivation letter (max 0.5 page verdana 9 in which you outline why you are suited for this position), (4) a writing sample of your own work, and (5) a coding sample of your own work using a software package of your choice that uses command lines. Preselection is followed by an interview and presentation for the selected candidates. Interviews will be scheduled in June and/or July 2024.

Further information
Prof. dr. Sebastien LIZIN, +32-11-268696, sebastien.lizin@uhasselt.be

For questions about the selection procedure, please email jobs@uhasselt.be.