Post-Doctoral Position: In situ chemical evolution of solar absorbers using ToF-SIMS and XPS measurements M/F

Job Description

Missions

As part of the Minotaure project, which addresses the issues of reliability and durability in new photovoltaic cell technologies, studying the mechanisms of solar cell degradation is a major challenge. In order to analyze and understand these mechanisms, and subsequently circumvent or eliminate them, a group of partners with complementary expertise in various fields of characterization and modeling have joined forces to study aging mechanisms using operando, in situ, and ex situ characterization approaches.
This 12-month postdoctoral contract aims to identify and understand the chemical or electrochemical changes induced by the main stress factors related to aging, namely temperature, light, electrical polarization, and various combinations of these factors, both in the absorbing layers and at the interfaces of solar cells based on perovskites or chalcopyrite Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2, technologies selected for the production of low-cost tandem cells.

The effects of various in situ aging factors and the combination of these factors will be studied by combining two complementary surface analysis techniques:
ToF-SIMS and XPS, which will provide access to high-resolution depth profiles, 2D and 3D images, the distribution of elemental and molecular species, and changes in chemical and electronic properties. The XPS analyses will be carried out at the Lavoisier Institute in Versailles and the Jean Rouxel Institute of Materials in Nantes, while the ToF-SIMS analyses will be carried out at the Paris Institute of Chemistry Research.

Activity

• Aging of solar absorber layers with in situ monitoring of their properties using XPS and ToF-SIMS
• Chemical correlation of results obtained using XPS and ToF-SIMS
• Development of an in situ electrical bias process for ToF-SIMS measurements

Your Profil

Skills

The candidate must hold a PhD in chemistry, physics, or materials science and must have the following knowledge:
• Knowledge of materials science, preferably semiconductors, and thin films
• Good experimental skills
• Solid experience in at least one of the characterization techniques: ToF-SIMS or XPS, both in terms of data acquisition and processing
• Experience in vacuum required
• A track record of high-quality scientific publications is desirable

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will join the Electrochemistry and Physical Chemistry at Interfaces (EPI) group at the Lavoisier Institute in Versailles (UMR 8180 CNRS-UVSQ Paris Saclay). They will carry out their ToF-SIMS experimental work at the Paris Institute of Chemistry Research (Paris 5th arrondissement). Finally, assignments will be planned at the Nantes-Jean Rouxel Materials Institute.

Constraints and risks

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Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,081.33 and €4,291.70 gross per month, depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions