Postdoc New Luminescent Materials for Sustainable Energy Technology: Towards a Photovoltaic Window

Job description

In this postdoc research project you will develop luminescent materials for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology. You will make and study new types of strongly absorbing sulphide luminescent solar absorber materials, just a few hundred nm thick, that can convert the UV and visible part of the solar spectrum into infra-red luminescence. When applied as a coating to windows, these materials can enable a cost-effective electricity-generating PV-window following the principle of a Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC). An LSC harvests sunlight by absorbing, re-emitting, and subsequently guiding light, like in an optical fibre, to solar cells integrated in the window pane that convert the light into electrical power.

In this project you use reactive DC, RF or pulsed magnetron sputtering, the workhorse technology of the glass coating industry, to make the luminescent materials. Targeted materials are Yb³⁺-doped inorganic semiconducting sulphide materials, emitting in the infra-red spectral range, where silicon solar cells have high conversion efficiency.

To successfully develop new luminescent absorber materials, it is crucial that you gain a fundamental understanding of the physical processes underlying their luminescence mechanism. To give you an idea, one of the scientific challenges is to understand how generated electron-hole pairs can transfer their energy to the luminescence centres. The strongest possible absorptions in an inorganic material are so-called bandgap absorptions, in which an electron is excited from the valence band (VB) to the conduction band (CB), leaving behind a hole in the VB. Although there are many materials (hosts) with a small bandgap that absorb the entire visible part of the solar spectrum (black materials), very few show efficient luminescence of doping ions. Such host-to-doping-ion transfer is often described as a resonant process between (self-trapped) exciton emission and doping-ion absorption. The materials in this project are selected to have a small exciton binding energy, making exciton-mediated transfer inefficient. Instead, sequential transfer of first the electron and then the hole is the anticipated transfer process to the Yb³⁺ luminescence centres.

The fundamental insights are obtained first by time- and temperature-resolved optical and luminescence spectroscopy, combined with a variety of techniques to analyse the structure, (defect) composition and morphology of the films. Secondly, fundamental understanding involves data interpretation and model development using knowledge of solid-state physics, optics and quantum mechanics. Ideally, the obtained insights will be used to select other materials with improved properties during your project.

The Energy Materials group at Delft University of Technology has more than 30 years of experience in luminescent materials research and collaborates with a start-up company and the glass coating industry to facilitate a route to large-scale application of the coatings as windows. You will work in a team, led by your supervisor, alongside Phd’s, technicians, a start-up company and the glass coating industry.

Job requirements
You are a skilful experimentalist with perseverance and patience, motivated to make new materials. Please show in your application that you have:

• a PhD in physics, inorganic (physical) chemistry or a similar field

• experience with magnetron sputtering

• a proven interest in, and experience with, experimental (materials) research

Experience with any of the topics mentioned in the job description is beneficial but not mandatory.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

PhD Position Two-Phase Flow of Cryogenic Hydrogen

Job description

Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy carriers and fuels for future sustainable aviation. As it flows from storage to the engine, the cryogenic liquid evaporates, creating a two-phase mixture that affects hydrogen distribution, as well as active components along the line, such as heat exchangers and valves.

Understanding and predicting the hydrogen flow and thermal behaviour is essential before such systems can be deployed.

As a PhD candidate in the Propulsion & Power group at TU Delft, you will tackle this challenge through advanced experimental and analytical investigations, focusing on how two-phase flow develops along cryogenics distribution lines.

The project is primarily experimental. You will help commission a new cryogenic test facility that is currently being developed in collaboration with the team, and run advanced experiments for investigating cryogenics two-phase flow. A second objective is to build cryogenic sensors for heat and flow measurements, in collaboration with the Von Karman Institute (VKI, Belgium).

You will join the Propulsion & Power group, that combines expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer and turbomachinery. Your supervisors will guide you while giving you the room to shape your own research, and you will get the support and training you need to grow as an independent researcher.

Job requirements
You are driven by the wish to understand physical phenomena, reasoning from first principles, and connecting your measurements back to the underlying mechanisms. You are happy to share knowledge and collaborate within an international team and visiting external partners for extended periods (up to few months).

To be considered, you will have:

• An MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field.
• Strong foundations in thermodynamics , fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
• An aptitude for experimental work, shown by hands-on involvement in building or running test setups.
• A very good spoken and written English.
• Experience in two-phase flow and heat transfer experiments and/or modelling is highly valued.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering
The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration.

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Postdoc New Luminescent Materials for Sustainable Energy Technology: Towards a Photovoltaic Window

Job description

In this postdoc research project you will develop luminescent materials for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology. You will make and study new types of strongly absorbing sulphide luminescent solar absorber materials, just a few hundred nm thick, that can convert the UV and visible part of the solar spectrum into infra-red luminescence. When applied as a coating to windows, these materials can enable a cost-effective electricity-generating PV-window following the principle of a Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC). An LSC harvests sunlight by absorbing, re-emitting, and subsequently guiding light, like in an optical fibre, to solar cells integrated in the window pane that convert the light into electrical power.

In this project you use reactive DC, RF or pulsed magnetron sputtering, the workhorse technology of the glass coating industry, to make the luminescent materials. Targeted materials are Yb³⁺-doped inorganic semiconducting sulphide materials, emitting in the infra-red spectral range, where silicon solar cells have high conversion efficiency.

To successfully develop new luminescent absorber materials, it is crucial that you gain a fundamental understanding of the physical processes underlying their luminescence mechanism. To give you an idea, one of the scientific challenges is to understand how generated electron-hole pairs can transfer their energy to the luminescence centres. The strongest possible absorptions in an inorganic material are so-called bandgap absorptions, in which an electron is excited from the valence band (VB) to the conduction band (CB), leaving behind a hole in the VB. Although there are many materials (hosts) with a small bandgap that absorb the entire visible part of the solar spectrum (black materials), very few show efficient luminescence of doping ions. Such host-to-doping-ion transfer is often described as a resonant process between (self-trapped) exciton emission and doping-ion absorption. The materials in this project are selected to have a small exciton binding energy, making exciton-mediated transfer inefficient. Instead, sequential transfer of first the electron and then the hole is the anticipated transfer process to the Yb³⁺ luminescence centres.

The fundamental insights are obtained first by time- and temperature-resolved optical and luminescence spectroscopy, combined with a variety of techniques to analyse the structure, (defect) composition and morphology of the films. Secondly, fundamental understanding involves data interpretation and model development using knowledge of solid-state physics, optics and quantum mechanics. Ideally, the obtained insights will be used to select other materials with improved properties during your project.

The Energy Materials group at Delft University of Technology has more than 30 years of experience in luminescent materials research and collaborates with a start-up company and the glass coating industry to facilitate a route to large-scale application of the coatings as windows. You will work in a team, led by your supervisor, alongside Phd’s, technicians, a start-up company and the glass coating industry.

Job requirements
You are a skilful experimentalist with perseverance and patience, motivated to make new materials. Please show in your application that you have:

• a PhD in physics, inorganic (physical) chemistry or a similar field

• experience with magnetron sputtering

• a proven interest in, and experience with, experimental (materials) research

Experience with any of the topics mentioned in the job description is beneficial but not mandatory.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

PhD Position Two-Phase Flow of Cryogenic Hydrogen

Job description

Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy carriers and fuels for future sustainable aviation. As it flows from storage to the engine, the cryogenic liquid evaporates, creating a two-phase mixture that affects hydrogen distribution, as well as active components along the line, such as heat exchangers and valves.

Understanding and predicting the hydrogen flow and thermal behaviour is essential before such systems can be deployed.

As a PhD candidate in the Propulsion & Power group at TU Delft, you will tackle this challenge through advanced experimental and analytical investigations, focusing on how two-phase flow develops along cryogenics distribution lines.

The project is primarily experimental. You will help commission a new cryogenic test facility that is currently being developed in collaboration with the team, and run advanced experiments for investigating cryogenics two-phase flow. A second objective is to build cryogenic sensors for heat and flow measurements, in collaboration with the Von Karman Institute (VKI, Belgium).

You will join the Propulsion & Power group, that combines expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer and turbomachinery. Your supervisors will guide you while giving you the room to shape your own research, and you will get the support and training you need to grow as an independent researcher.

Job requirements
You are driven by the wish to understand physical phenomena, reasoning from first principles, and connecting your measurements back to the underlying mechanisms. You are happy to share knowledge and collaborate within an international team and visiting external partners for extended periods (up to few months).

To be considered, you will have:

• An MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field.
• Strong foundations in thermodynamics , fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
• An aptitude for experimental work, shown by hands-on involvement in building or running test setups.
• A very good spoken and written English.
• Experience in two-phase flow and heat transfer experiments and/or modelling is highly valued.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering
The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration.

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

PhD Position Projection System for TE Imaging in Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Job description

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is one of the most widely used imaging tools in nanoscience, materials research, semiconductor manufacturing, and the life sciences. Despite its wide applications and accessibility, the highest spatial resolution is still obtained through transmission electron (TE) imaging, which can only be done through a large, expensive, and highly specialized (Scanning) Transmission Electron Microscopes ((S)TEM). The aim of this project is to "democratize" this imaging technique by bringing transformative TE techniques, including electron diffraction, low-energy STEM, and phase-contrast imaging, to compact, affordable, and widely accessible SEM platforms.

As a PhD candidate at TU Delft, you will work closely with our industrial partner Delmic, a world-leading company in correlative and multimodal microscopy, to develop a proof-of-concept transmission electron projection column based on miniaturized electron-optical components. The ambition is to create a compact, cost-effective projection system that can be integrated into conventional SEMs, enabling high-resolution transmission imaging alongside complementary modalities such as light microscopy, cathodoluminescence, and focused ion beam processing. By combining the strengths of multiple imaging techniques within a single instrument, this technology has the potential to significantly expand the capabilities and accessibility of electron microscopy.

Working at the intersection of electron optics, MEMS technology, microscopy instrumentation, and imaging physics, you will design, simulate, fabricate, and experimentally validate a novel MEMS-based transmission electron projection column integrated inside an SEM. The project combines theoretical modelling, numerical simulations, hardware development, precision engineering, and experimental validation, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation electron microscopy instrumentation.

The four-year research programme is organized into three main phases. During the first phase, you will develop analytical and numerical models describing the electron optics of the projection column and optimize its performance through large-scale simulations. You will use commercial electron-optical simulation software but also develop custom Python-based modelling tools developed within the project. Your research will be supported by access to DelftBlue, TU Delft's state-of-the-art high-performance computing infrastructure, enabling computationally intensive simulations and optimization. In the second phase, you will work closely with our experienced technical staff to design and realize the electron-optical components. Depending on the final design, these components will be fabricated using advanced MEMS technology, high-precision machining, or a combination of both. You will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art microfabrication and cleanroom facilities, while also contributing to the development of the associated electronics, vacuum hardware, and experimental instrumentation required for the prototype. The final phase focuses on assembling, testing, and validating the prototype inside an SEM. You will compare experimental measurements with numerical predictions to validate the physical models and further optimize the instrument design.

Throughout the project, you will work closely with researchers at TU Delft and engineers at Delmic, with opportunities for regular interaction and knowledge exchange between academia and industry. As part of your PhD, you will publish your findings in leading international journals, present your work at major scientific conferences, and contribute to the supervision of BSc and MSc students through laboratory work, tutorials, and research projects.

You will join "the Gheidari Lab" part of the Microscopy Instrumentation and Techniques (MInT) Group within the Department of Imaging Physics at TU Delft.

Job requirements
You are a highly motivated researcher with a strong interest in electron optics, instrumentation development, and computational modelling, eager to bridge simulation and experiment to realize next-generation electron microscopy systems. You enjoy working at the interface of fundamental research and industrial innovation, collaborating with both academic and industrial partners to achieve tangible results. Embracing the opportunity to work with leading industrial partners, you know how to collaborate and achieve meaningful results geared to the development of pragmatic applications. You also put your curiosity to good use: you don’t take anomalies for granted and take the initiative to dig deeper and spar with experts. Harnessing your communication skills, you convince colleagues at TU Delft and Delmic of your approach, models and programs. And you enjoy interacting with and coaching talented bachelor and master students, while expanding your own knowledge and competencies.

You also have:

• An MSc degree in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable skills in numerical modeling, simulation, and data analysis.
• A solid understanding of Physics, Optics, Electron Optics, MEMS, exeprimenntal physics and microscopy systems.
• A proactive and curious mindset, with the ability to explore complex problems independently and collaboratively.
• A good command of spoken and written English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community. You will also write scientific articles and your dissertation in English and participate in English-taught courses.
• An enthusiasm for coaching bachelor and master students, and for presenting your work in scientific articles and international conferences.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.