Posting TitlePostdoctoral Researcher in High-Efficiency Silicon Photovoltaics

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypePostdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

A postdoctoral researcher position is available in NREL’s Materials Science Center to study high-efficiency silicon solar cells within the Silicon Photovoltaics team. This position will involve design, fabrication, testing and characterization of silicon single crystal solar cells. The candidate will support a larger group effort to lower the costs of high-efficiency silicon solar cells through the development of new poly-Si/dielectric passivated contacts and low-cost metallization.  A successful candidate will have expertise in one or more of the following areas: device fabrication, clean room processing of semiconductor materials, device modeling, solar cell device characterization, laser processing, contact formation, and/or materials characterization.

The core Silicon PV team at NREL develops new materials and devices for renewable energy and other applications, with projects spanning from basic research to device applications. The Postdoc will perform research on a wide range of high efficiency Si PV topics ranging from device fabrication, novel passivating contacts, advanced metallization, as well as defect science and reliability. A major focus will be on full-size wafer, high-efficiency Si solar cell fabrication technology using wafer-level tools in a cleanroom environment. The experimental work will be complemented by device-level and optical simulations, as well as materials science studies with relevant characterization techniques. The candidate is expected to communicate their results through journal publications, conference presentations and funding agency presentations. In general, candidates should have a demonstrated track record of success in formulating and addressing fundamental/applied science questions and in devising solutions to challenging problems working both independently and as part of a team. The candidate will be expected to support a work environment that maximizes the unique talents and innovative ideas of every employee and to support NREL core values. The candidate will be required to follow safe work procedures and keep a clean, well-organized physical and virtual work environment.

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Basic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required QualificationsCandidates must have a doctoral degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Nano-Engineering. Hands-on experience processing devices on silicon wafers. Knowledge of solar cell characterization techniques, basic simulation packages, and how to interpret and analyze the results is required.Knowledge of silicon bottom cells and their integration in a 2-, 3- or 4-terminal tandem configuration.Knowledge of or experience with machine learning for process control and development.Diagnostics of solar cell devices and materials, interfaces, defects, development of new process techniques, creative solutions to material science and device problems.

Preferred QualificationsExperience working on all stages of an advanced silicon device using wafer-level tools in a cleanroom. This includes both chemical and thermal processing at the front end, PECVD/LPCVD depositions of various contact and ARC layers, metallization at the back end, and thorough characterization throughout all stages of device processing. This would be complemented by device-level optical and electronic performance simulations and materials science research along the way.  Knowledge of PERC, TOPCon, silicon heterojunction, and IBC devices, and tandems.Preferred qualifications include scientific leadership skills, capability to innovate, an ability to complete assignments either individually or within a team.Experience in writing winning research proposals.Awareness of the silicon photovoltaic industry problems, solutions, road map, and ability to propose new ideas and non-standard solutions in this and wider energy-related research and industry fields.Awareness of metal/semiconductor contact formation with knowledge of the LECO process.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $74,900 - $123,600

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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