Offer Description
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We are looking to recruit a PhD researcher in the group of Dr. Gillett in the Electronic and Photonic Materials division in the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (IFM). The successful applicant will work in collaboration with the Swedish company Epishine AB on a research project funded by the Åforsk Foundation that will use ultrafast optical spectroscopy to understand the degradation mechanisms of organic photovoltaics. The recruited researcher will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the state-of-the-art spectroscopy setups developed in the group to pursue their own research interests more broadly in the field of organic materials. Topics currently being studied in the group include organic photovoltaic and OLED systems, vibronic coupling in organic molecules, molecular photoswitches, circularly polarized luminescence, and photocatalysis.
Your work assignments
This project aims to understand the stability and failure mechanisms in the light-absorbing layer of organic photovoltaic devices under conditions relevant to commercial applications. To achieve this, we will take a unique approach that involves using ultrafast optical spectroscopy techniques to probe how material degradation impacts the fundamental photophysics of the organic materials that underpin device operation (see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2023.03.002 for a recent example of this approach from the group). This project will be carried out in collaboration with the Swedish company Epishine AB (https://www.epishine.com/), also based in Linköping, who are currently working on the commercialization of organic photovoltaics for indoor light harvesting applications.
You will be responsible for performing transient absorption spectroscopy measurements, spanning the visible to mid-infrared, on organic photovoltaic samples provided by Epishine AB to understand how the photophysics of these materials change after different material degradation protocols. This will be supplemented by steady-state spectroscopy measurements (UVVis, photoluminescence/PLQY, FTIR), as well as morphology and computational characterization through collaborators, to provide a complete picture of the degradation mechanism under real-world conditions. Through this, you will provide new design rules for organic photovoltaic materials that will have a direct impact on commercial applications of the technology.
In addition, Dr. Gillett strongly encourages his research group to follow their curiosity and develop their own research projects. Therefore, the successful candidate will also have the freedom to explore other topics during their PhD within the broader fields of organic materials and ultrafast spectroscopy. Through this, you will have the opportunity to develop as an independent researcher ready to pursue an academic or industrial career path.
As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.
Your qualifications
You have graduated at Master’s level in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline, or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.
In addition, the following are requirements for the role:
- Previous experience working with organic or perovskite materials.
- A high level of self-motivation and independence, good problem-solving skills, and the demonstrated ability to work in a team.
- The ability to fluently communicate in English (written and spoken).
The following requirements are not essential, but considered highly beneficial for the role:
- Previous experience working on organic photovoltaic materials and devices, including stability measurements
- Experience of independently performing ultrafast optical spectroscopy measurements, including, but not limited to, transient absorption and time-resolved photoluminescence
- Experience of working with laser systems, in particular femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed laser sources
- Good coding skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB, LabView) for the development of custom code for running experiments and analysing experimental data
Finally, a letter of intent should be attached to the application covering how your background and skills make you a good match for the research project on organic photovoltaics. In addition, please provide a short description of your own research interests and a potential idea for another research project that you would like to explore in the group. Note that this doesn’t necessarily have to be in the area of organic photovoltaics.
Your workplace
You will be employed in the research group led by Dr. Alexander Gillett (https://liu.se/en/employee/alegi69), located in the Electronic and Photonic Materials Division: https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/ifm/efm. Here, you will be part of a small (currently the PI and ~5 researchers) and supportive team where the freedom to think critically and define your own research path is strongly encouraged.
The group possesses a state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy laboratory with several home-developed setups, including visible/near infrared transient absorption with ultrafast (<10 fs) excitation sources, mid-infrared transient absorption, femtosecond and nanosecond time-resolved photoluminescence, and advanced variations of optical Kerr effect spectroscopy. In addition, the group also possesses its own sample preparation facilities, including an inert atmosphere glovebox, and steady-state characterization techniques, and has access to the broader facilities available in the Electronic and Photonic Materials division for material and device characterization. Therefore, the successful candidate will have all the tools they need to succeed in their research plans.
The employment
When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University
The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan.
Starting date by agreement.
Salary and employment benefits
The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.
More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.
Union representatives
Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.
Application procedure
Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than 5th of October 2026.
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.
We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.
We look forward to receiving your application!
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