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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

UV coatings for printed photovoltaics

Research Group: Chemistry
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 3.5 Years
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

This studentship is fully funded via the UKRI EPSRC Doctoral Training Programme for 3.5 years and includes a stipend (currently £17,609 in 2021/2022) and Fees.

Project Description

Photovoltaics (PV) are the largest renewable technology in installed capacity worldwide and their market share is expected to grow substantially in the coming decades. Third generation printed PV are the most promising new PV technologies that can change the electricity generation landscape worldwide. The PhD student will work on developing novel UV coatings to prevent damage of printed PV devices by utilising the great synthetic flexibility of organic semiconductors and implementing them in high efficiency PV devices.

The PhD applicant will join the Dimitrov lab which is a vibrant research group with strong photophysics and materials development expertise, based at the Department of Chemistry. The project is in collaboration with the group of Dr Nielsen also from QMUL and an expert in the synthesis of organic semiconductors. The student will have the chance to travel to UK national and international conferences and collaborate with world leading groups from Imperial College London and SPECIFIC IKC.

QMUL is a Russell group university and leading research institution internationally with world class facilities. Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/uv-coatings-for-printed-photovoltaics/?p139184

 

Requirements

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class master's degree in Chemistry or an area relevant to the project. A standalone master's degree, or undergraduate integrated master's degree are required for this position. They should have experience or interest in laser spectroscopy, organic semiconductor synthesis, materials science or solar cell device fabrication. 

Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Dimitrov on s.dimitrov@qmul.ac.uk prior to their submission by sending a CV and a description of their interests and expertise relevant to the project.

Eligibility

This year UKRI announced that there will be a limited number of studentships for international students available.  International applicants are encouraged to apply but should note that studentship awards will be subject to eligibility and the availability of funding.

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or  
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classified as an international student.

Further guidance on UKRI Eligibility Criteria is here, and within Annex One of the International Eligibility Guidance.

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start from September 2022

 

SPCS Academics: Dr Stoichko Dimitrov