Missions

The rise of perovskite-based thin-film solar cells is opening the door to a new generation of high-efficiency, low-cost photovoltaic technologies. Thanks to their tunable bandgap, perovskites are especially well-suited for tandem architectures.
As part of the national PEPR TASE/IOTA project, this PhD aims to explore an innovative alternative to conventional tandems by replacing the silicon bottom cell with a CIGS (Cu(In,Ga)Se₂) cell — a low-bandgap absorber (~1 eV).
The goal is to develop high-performance CIGS–perovskite tandem solar cells in a two-terminal (2T) configuration, focusing on two main areas:
- Optimizing low-bandgap (1–1.1 eV) CIGS thin films
- Engineering and fine-tuning the interface between the CIGS bottom cell and the perovskite top cell
The ultimate ambition is to surpass 30% power conversion efficiency at the device level, using fabrication processes that remain compatible with scalable, low-cost manufacturing.

Activités

The PhD candidate will be actively involved in all stages of tandem solar cell development, including:
- Synthesis and optimization of low-bandgap (1–1.1 eV) CIGS absorbers via co-evaporation
- Development and optimization of CIGS/perovskite interfaces using physical or chemical methods (vacuum-based and solution-based deposition techniques)
- Fabrication of monolithic 2-terminal (2T) tandem devices
- Multi-scale characterization of layers and devices:
-Physicochemical techniques: GD-OES, XRD, SEM, AFM, Raman, XPS
- Optoelectronic characterization: IV curves, EQE, PL, CL, and time-resolved measurements
- Optical and electrical simulations (stack modeling and performance optimization)

Compétences

-Master's degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Applied Physics, or a related field
- Prior experience in photovoltaic device fabrication, interface engineering, or thin-film growth and characterization is a strong asset
- A strong motivation for fabrication and characterization of materials and optoelectronic devices
-Solid proficiency in English, along with effective communication skills
-Curious, proactive, and rigorous mindset, with the ability to quickly learn new technical skills

Contexte de travail

This PhD project is part of the national PEPR TASE/IOTA program, which aims to develop breakthrough photovoltaic technologies.
The research will be conducted within the CNRS-IPVF joint research unit (UMR 9006), part of the Institut Photovoltaïque d'Île-de-France (IPVF), located on the Saclay plateau, in close collaboration with CEA Grenoble. IPVF is a center of excellence in photovoltaic research, bringing together leading industrial partners (EDF, TotalEnergies, Air Liquide, Horiba, Riber) and prestigious academic institutions (CNRS, École Polytechnique).
The scientific environment is highly conducive to high-level, multidisciplinary research, offering access to state-of-the-art facilities for the development, characterization, and prototyping of photovoltaic devices.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.