Materials Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership PhD Scholarship: Next-Generation Photovoltaics (RS636)

Fully Funded EPSRC and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership PhD Scholarship: Next-Generation Photovoltaics: Module and panel design for Roll-to-Roll Printed Perovskite Cells

Funding providers: EPSRC and STRIP5 Prosperity Partnership

Subject areas: Photovoltaics, Perovskites, Module design, Engineering

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Professor Trystan Watson (t.m.watson@swansea.ac.uk)
• Dr Eifion Jewell
• Dr David Beynon

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Materials Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

This 4-year PhD position offers an exciting opportunity to join the STRIPS Project (Swansea Tata Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV). As part of the STRIPS project, which encompasses 4-6 PhD studentships across 5 research groups in Swansea, all commencing in 2024, you will be an integral part of a dynamic doctoral cohort. This unique opportunity provides the successful candidate with the chance to collaborate not only with peers in Swansea but with the vast network of projects on photovoltaics across the UK and beyond.  

Your role will explore a critical barrier to the successful implementation of the newest revolution in solar energy research – module design and development. Working as part of the existing research team led by Professor Trystan Watson you will explore how the next generation of printed solar cells can be taken from the printing of single layers to the integration of modules into functional panels.     

In particular you will consider aspects of module connection from series to parallel connection, minimising shading losses and bypass diodes to new grid based electrode concepts for linking packaged modules to the steel substrate itself to produce a functional product. Overcoming this challenge is essential for their wider adoption in sustainable energy, making it one of the top priorities in the field. 

In this pivotal role, the selected candidate will engage in groundbreaking research, with a special focus on taking the modules produced by the STRIPS project and solving the problems required to integrate them into a steel panel which include panel design and layout, electrical connection and adhesion. In addition to academic exploration, this role offers the chance to collaborate with industry leaders, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical, scalable applications. This initiative is not merely about advancing solar technology but is a commitment to contributing towards a sustainable energy future through durable, efficient solar solutions  

Candidates with a keen interest in solar energy, perovskite photovoltaics, materials, electrical, mechanical and process engineering are encouraged to apply. If you possess a diverse skill set and are passionate about highly applied and impactful research, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of sustainable energy technologies. 

Associated projects:

• Swansea TATA Research and Innovation Prosperity Partnership for Printed Perovskite PV (STRIPS)
• SPECIFIC
• SUNRISE

Candidates must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours or overseas bachelor’s degree deemed equivalent to UK honours (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see country specific qualifications). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select Materials Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2024
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS636 - Printed Perovskite Cells’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional) 

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Professor Trystan Watson (t.m.watson@swansea.ac.uk).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.