Reference: 10031613

To apply: http://total.contactrh.com/jobs/138/2286258

Contract type: Permanent
City: Louvain, 3000, Belgium
Education: Doctorate
Minimum experience: 5-7 years

Company:

Total is one of the first international oil companies, the world actor of the gas, the petro chemistry and tomorrow, the biomass and the solar energy. Gathering 100 000 employees in more than 130 countries, the Group implements its technological know-how to contribute to satisfy the present and future world energy demand.

Position:

TOTAL is one of the largest energy companies in the world, with over 96,000 employees, activities in more than 130 countries, and a branch, TOTAL New Energies, dedicated entirely to the commercial development of alternative energies (Solar PV, concentrated solar power, advanced biofuels, carbon capture and storage).

TOTAL has been involved in photovoltaics since 1983, and is driven by the ambition to become the global leader in the solar industry. TOTAL New Energies pursues differentiation through technology as the first step towards building competitive integrated industrial operations in photovoltaic energy. In line with this strategy, the company makes important investments in technology research.

TOTAL New Energies leverages an original networked innovation model in order to develop technologies that will make a real difference in the near or mid-term future. In each partnership, researchers at the partner institution and TOTAL scientists jointly design and carry out the research efforts. The network includes a number of partnerships with leading academic labs and start-ups, such as the Laboratoire de Physique des Interfaces et Couches Minces (LPICM) and the Belgium based Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec), renowned for its cutting edge research in microelectronics and photovoltaics.

Within Imec, TOTAL New Energies has set up a joint team of scientists specialized in advanced crystalline silicon (c Si) photovoltaic technology. The team conducts innovative research aiming to reduce the need for the increasingly costly silicon material, in next generation high efficiency c-Si solar panels. The results developed by the team are used by TOTAL New Energies' most important industrial asset in solar energy, the California based SunPower Corp., renowned for developing the world's most efficient and reliable solar panels.

For this R&D team, TOTAL New Energies is seeking a Research Scientist for c-Si Photovoltaics to contribute to the success of the team by conducting research on epitaxy, kerf-free methods and plasma processes. The focus of the position is on innovative research.

The main roles and responsibilities of candidate will be to:

• Lead a TOTAL-Imec project on next generation c-Si solar components based on innovative paths (epitaxy, ion implantation, etc.).
• Contribute to the definition of future scientific programs on kerf-free methods by proposing new ideas and concepts in the field of c-Si technology.
• Deliver components of other c-Si solar cell projects carried out by the TOTAL-Imec team in collaboration with various partners, suppliers and/or laboratories.
• Design, coordinate, and/or execute experiments on solar cells and modules in collaboration with Imec or with other partners/suppliers.
• Monitor the PV R&D landscape and identify promising technologies for next generation c-Si solar cells.
• Present findings to TOTAL New Energies Headquarters (Paris) and to a number of TOTAL partners.

In a highly dynamic, interdisciplinary and inspiring international environment, the candidate will collaborate closely with other Imec PV research teams (passivation, doping, and metallization), and be trusted with stimulating challenges and a large extend of autonomy.

Profile:

PhD degree in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering or Chemistry.

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of silicon epitaxy (epitaxial growth mechanisms, CVD, alternative epitaxy methods, etc.).
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of one or several kerf-less methods (implant-and-cleave process, release layers, and/or reusable template, etc.).
• Fluency in English.
• Some French language skills would be a plus, but are not mandatory.

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience (preferably gained both in an industrial environment and in academia).
• Experience in plasma depositions and plasma characterizations (PECVD, PVD) would be a significant plus.
• A strong track-record of innovative research and of publications in prominent scientific journals.

Skills

• Excellent analytical skills.
• Capacity to think out of the box to find innovative solutions to scientific problems.
• Scientific rigor.
• High work standards.
• Capacity to work independently and take initiatives.
• Planning and organization skills.
• Perseverance.
• Strong team player attitude and capacities.