The National Renewable Energy Laboratory - NREL - is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
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Development of ultrahigh efficiency next generation Si PV
3258BR
Golden, CO
Regular Employee
40
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, is the nation’s primary laboratory for research, development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL’s Silicon Materials and Devices Group in the National Center for Photovoltaics has an immediate opening for a full time (40 hours per week) Scientist IV.
The Silicon Materials and Devices Group develops new materials, processes, and devices for to advance high efficiency silicon PV. This includes advanced passivation, novel device architectures and materials/device processing, and multiple junction approaches. Projects span from basic research all the way to devices including reliability. The Scientist will perform research focused on developing ultrahigh efficiency, next generation Si PV at NREL. As integral part of the work will be establishing high quality research culture, equipment, processing and materials capabilities at NREL necessary to reach this goal. Another goal will be interfacing the basic science at NREL with industry to develop industrially relevant next generation Si PV on large scale. Specifically, the research will focus on developing novel, high performance passivation for surfaces and contacts on silicon that enable record efficiency solar cells. Connecting the extensive basic science research that reveals and overcomes the efficiency-limiting factors with industry will be a major goal of the Scientist’s research. Demonstration of the high efficiency devices with industrial relevance will be of key importance. The devices, materials, and processes will be developed with the goal of integrating and developing into future US industries. The scientist will be responsible for both theoretical calculations and experimental implementation of materials, processes, and device development that enable next generation, ultrahigh efficiency Si PV. Part of the research focus will be interfacing Si bottom cell with a top cell in tandem, with a goal of preserving high performance of the Si cell. New findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Another aspect would be to identify novel, mid- and long term solutions to Si PV and organize new research at NREL to develop them and transfer to industry. Specific duties include: Collaboration with Group scientists in the planning, analysis, realization and interpretation of experiments. Development and application of cutting-edge experimental and modeling techniques. Developing winning proposals to expand Si PV program at NREL within coming years. Engaging and working with industry. Engaging students and academia in research at NREL. Publication of results in scientific journals and conference proceedings. Presentation of work at scientific conferences and review meetings. Adherence to NREL’s high safety standards.
Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.
Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.
Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.
Applies extensive scientific technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource.
Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
Candidates must have a doctoral degree (within last 10 years) in Physics, Applied Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Sciences, and expertise in: high efficiency, industrially relevant crystalline-Si PV, novel surface and contact passivation process and materials development for wafer Si solar cells; structural, mechanical, electronic and optical properties of materials; device design and simulation; use of sophisticated experimental equipment. Proven significant experimental contribution to development of demonstrated >22% Si cell. Postdoctoral, or equivalent Visiting Scientist experience required.
Strong scientific research skills (creating hypotheses, experiment design and implementation, simulations and modeling), as well as writing skills demonstrated by experience in writing quality scientific papers. Communications skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a research team. Ability to conceive and lead new research projects and advise graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Significant experience with fabrication of devices and surface and contact passivation. Experience in very close working with industry integrating basic science into industrial PV product. Demonstrated ability to write or co-write winning research proposals
A thesis or publications involving science of passivation and fabrication of Si solar cells. Expertise in producing and characterizing PV materials and devices (such as ALD passivating layers, heterojunction and contact layers, etc.). Extensive experience with crystalline-silicon PV fabrication processes, such as dopant diffusion, passivation, contacting, light management, epitaxial growth, plasma deposition, plasma etching, and contacting techniques (lithography, screen-printing, etc.); interface science relevant to high-efficiency silicon PV. Familiarity with silicon or other semiconductor material properties including optical properties, defects, and solar cell physics, PV device structures, and design and simulation tools
NREL is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. NREL promotes a work environment that does not discriminate against workers or job applicants and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or veteran status, including special disabled veterans.
NREL validates right to work using E-Verify. NREL will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please see www.nrel.gov/employment/eeo.html.
