Unlocking low temperature chalcogenide perovskite (ReNU+24/EE/MPEE/ZOPPI)

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU⁺) is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training. The start date is 1st October 2025. 

Chalcogenide perovskites (CP) are a new class of materials with potential as lead-free solar absorber alternative to metal halide perovskite. CPs, under the denomination ABX3, where A is an alkaline earth cation (e.g. Ba, Sr), B is a transition metal cation (e.g. Zr, Ti, Hf) and X is a chalcogenide anion (e.g. S, Se, Te), have shown extremely high stability to decomposition but require high temperature to form the ternary compound, making it difficult to fabricate any solar devices[1-2]. While most research has relied upon powder materials in sealed ampoules, recent progress in controlling the surface oxidation of the ternary material has made it possible to grown BaZrS3 using a 2-stage process of sputtering followed by sulfurization at temperature down to 600°C [3]. Previous calculations from the group have shown that a lower temperature of 500°C could be achieved by controlling the sulphur vapor pressure paving the way for using glass substrates typically used in thin film solar cells [1].

In this project, you will focus on the development of Ba(Zr,Ti,Hf)(S,Se)3 CP via magnetron sputtering followed by sulfurization/selenisation aiming to produce device quality solar absorbers.

You will contribute to the following key advancements:

1. Demonstrate device quality CP absorber on glass substrate;
2. Explore bandgap engineering via Zr substitution with Ti or Hf for narrowing and increasing the energy bandgap, respectively.
3. Design a structure to produce the first thin film devices based on CPs.

As a result, the following key activities will form the basis of the workplan:

1. You will create libraries of Ba-Zr-S on unheated and heated substrates using our new sputtering facility.

2. Following chalcogenation of the libraries, you will perform a complete morphological, structural and chemical analysis with full access to our updated characterisation facilities.

3. You will develop strategies to alleviate possible detrimental oxidation of the film surface via (i) sacrificial layer inclusion and (ii) layer stack engineering.

4. You will explore energy bandgap engineering via substitution of Zr by Ti or Hf and controlling the S/Se ratio.

This project will suit someone with a strong experimental background in materials science, physics and relevant field and you will join a dynamic team of academic staff, research fellows and PhD students. For more details about the project or team please contact Guillaume Zoppi (guillaume.zoppi@northumbria.ac.uk). For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please email pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. However, a 3 or 2:2 may be considered with relevant work experience, skills and/or expertise, please contact the Institution Director, vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk for further info.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must: 

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.   

Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence. Note the following are not covered by the studentship. 

• Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
• Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.
• Costs associated with English Language requirements.

International applicants (including EU) must have valid immigration permissions to live and study in UK if they wish to study on a part-time basis. Northumbria University does not sponsor part-time student visas.

For further details on how to apply see https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/    

Please complete the PhD application form in full, include the advert reference (e.g. ReNU+24/…) and also:

1. Upload degree certificates, transcripts and English qualifications (if applicable).
2. Upload your CV under the ‘Experience section’. This is MANDATORY.
3. In the personal statement section, select ‘no’ and type ‘no personal statement required’ in the box.
4. Research proposal is NOT required. Upload a blank document to progress your application. Choose ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Are you applying for a UKRI studentship?’ and then choose ‘EPSRC ReNU Plus’.
5. Choose ‘Scholarship’ under source of funding.
6. Post submission, you need to login to the applicant portal to complete a competency assessment form.

We have limited number of International awards available. Note that up to 5 offers will be made for the ReNU+ CDT projects advertised by Northumbria University.

Deadline for applications: 3 February 2025 

Start date of course: 1 October 2025 

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.