Internship: Optimization Strategies for Novel Materials

Work Activities

Advances in Artificial intelligence have accelerated the prediction of new materials, while laboratory automation has increased the speed at which these materials can be synthesized. Automated thin-film fabrication pipelines, such as robotic spin-coating systems integrated with high-throughput characterization, can now produce hundreds of samples per day. However, for newly predicted materials the optimal synthesis conditions are usually unknown. 

The goal of this project is to develop and test optimization strategies to identify suitable synthesis conditions for novel perovskite compositions. Genetic algorithms, Bayesian optimization, or hybrid approaches will be used in a closed-loop system to search for synthesis parameters that improve material performance, quantified through absorption and photoluminescence yield using hyperspectral imaging, while chemical composition and phase will be validated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). 

This project will provide experience with autonomous laboratories, optimization algorithms, and machine-learning analysis of materials data.

Qualifications

You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field. You have a nationality of an EU-member state and/or you are a student at a university in the Netherlands. The internship has to be a mandatory part of your curriculum. We expect you to be available for at least 5 months, although longer is preferable.

Work environment

AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

The Nanoscale Solar Cells group synthesizes advanced metal and semiconducting nanostructures, characterizes their material properties and integrates them into novel device structures with the aim of improving our fundamental understanding of light absorption, charge separation, recombination and transport at the nanometer scale.

We have 2 main focus areas: improving halide perovskite solar cells and using light to drive and monitor chemical reactions.

Working conditions

At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor.

AMOLF Energy Research Academy: AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF.

More information?

For further information about the position, please contact prof. dr. Erik Garnett or dr. Tom Veeken

Application

You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below. Please annex your:

• Motivation letter;
• Resume;
• List of followed courses plus grades.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code

AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.