Reference: 10041716
Contract type: Temporary
City: Leuven, 00000, Belgium
Education: Doctorate
Minimum experience: 3-4 years
Contract duration: 24 months

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. Within the company, TOTAL New Energies is dedicated entirely to the commercial development of alternative energies (Solar PV, concentrated solar power, advanced biofuels). TOTAL New Energies pursues differentiation through technology as the first step towards building competitive integrated industrial operations in these renewable energies.

The ambition of TOTAL New Energies is to become the global leader in the solar industry. The company has been involved in photovoltaic energy research since 1983, and leverages an original networked innovation model in order to develop technologies that will make a real difference in the near or mid-term future. The network includes a number of partnerships with leading academic labs and start-ups, such as the Belgium based Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec), renowned for its cutting edge research in microelectronics and photovoltaics. In each partnership, researchers at the partner institution and TOTAL scientists jointly design and carry out the research efforts.

Mission and responsibilities

Within Imec, TOTAL New Energies has set up a joint R&D team of scientists specialized in advanced crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic technology. The team conducts innovative research in next generation high efficiency c-Si solar cells to further improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of 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.

TOTAL New Energies is seeking a Scientist for a Post-doc in Modeling position in the joint R&D team at Imec. The candidate's research will focus on the development and adaptation of numerical models for the optimization of high efficiency Si solar cells, and contribute to our understanding of the critical parameters for the implementation of new processes. The research will be part of several long term research projects of TOTAL New Energies and will contribute to the design of the technology roadmap of TOTAL R&D and its affiliates.

• Develop numerical models for the simulation of the electrical and optical properties of Si solar cells.
• Conduct research to fine tune the models and the material parameters in order to match the process experiments as closely as possible.
• Contribute to the implementation of new passivation and masking processes through interaction with the R&D team and with process engineers.
• Coordinate research activities with external collaborators and students. Participate in research activities related to the implementation of novel concepts in thin Si-based solar cells (light trapping, plasmonics, etc.).
• Contribute to the design of experiments and identify critical processes for solar cells and modules integration.
• Propose innovative ideas and concepts for the next generation c-Si solar cells technology roadmap.
• Report regularly on the research activity to TOTAL Headquarters, in particular the TOTAL PV R&D team, to share R&D findings.

The candidate will benefit from a highly dynamic and inspiring international R&D environment. He/she will be trusted with a large extend of autonomy, while being part of a team of outstanding scientists, and of TOTAL, a company where ¿Developing complementary next generation energy activitiesis a strategic priority.

Profile:

PhD degree in semiconductor physics, electrical engineering, optoelectronics or a similar field.

Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in semiconductor physics and/or devices.
• Experience in numerical simulation/modeling of electrical or optical properties of semiconductor devices (e.g. Sentaurus from Synopsys, ATLAS from Silvaco, APSYS or PC1D).
• Hands-on experience with electrical, material and/or mechanical characterization would be appreciated.
• Knowledge of the current solar cell technologies would be a plus.
• Track-record of original research and publications presented in prestigious international conferences and scientific journals.
• Fluency in English, oral and written

Skills

• Strong analytical skills.
• Scientific rigor.
• Capacity to think out of the box and find innovative solutions.
• Adaptability.
• Ability to work on transverse projects.
• Team player skills and attitude.
• Good communication skills: the capacity to explain complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.