Reference: 10043999
Contract type: Temporary
City: Leuven, 00000, Belgium
Education: Doctorate
Minimum experience: 5-7 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, and a branch, TOTAL New Energies, 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 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. 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 team of scientists specialized in advanced crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic technology. The team conducts innovative research on next generation high efficiency c-Si solar cells to further improve 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.

For this R&D team, TOTAL New Energies is seeking a Scientist who will contribute to developing our expertise in novel concepts for next generation photovoltaic Si solar cells. The candidate's research will focus on one technological portfolio among the kerf-free methods: the development of new processes for the implementation of thin Si wafers into the solar cell process flow (epitaxy, Si foils, light trapping, etc.). The research activity will be part of 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, in particular SunPower.

The principal responsibilities of the candidate will be to:

• Conduct research to develop processes for thin Si wafer preparation, handling and integration into Si solar cell process flow.
• Develop characterization methods to investigate the quality of silicon-based materials and identify the critical parameters for their growth.
• Participate in research activities related to other Imec and TOTAL projects on the implementation of novel concepts in thin Si solar cells.
• Participate in the elaboration of design of experiments and identification of critical processes for solar cells and modules integration.
• Propose innovative ideas and concepts to contribute to the definition of the next generation Si solar cells technology roadmap (new materials, light trapping, plasmonics, etc).

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 in chemical engineering, materials science, semiconductor physics or a similar field.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in microelectronics, or optoelectronics, or photovoltaics (including PhD experience).
• Knowledge of material growth and semiconductor physics.
• Experience in material characterization.
• Knowledge of the current solar cell technologies is mandatory
• Capacity to collaborate with external collaborators and students.
• Track-record of original research and publications presented in prestigious international conferences and scientific journals
• Fluency in English, spoken and written.

Skills

• Analytical skills.
• Capacity to think out of the box and find innovative solutions.
• Willingness to be confronted with new challenges and discover various new fields of research.
• Self-starter
• Team player skills and attitude.
• Motivation for experimental work.