Supervisor: Mark Green (University of Kent, UK) and Olivier Lafon (University of Lille, France)

A funded PhD position is available in the combination of neutron and synchrotron scattering with Solid State NMR in hybrid perovskites.

In recent years organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have taken the photovoltaic community by storm, having already demonstrated solar cell efficiencies competitive with silicon ​they now look to revolutionise a whole host of technologies utilising the low cost, low temperature solution synthesis and astonishing material properties of the hybrid perovskite. The rapid developments and excitement surrounding this class of materials has been in spite of an incomplete understanding of the structure and dynamics that drives the extraordinary performance, shedding light on this mechanism is vital if the potential of these materials is to be fully realised.

This project aims to study hybrid perovskite photovoltaic devices, improve our understanding of their structural dynamics through a combination of neutron and synchrotron scattering with Solid State NMR and correlate this with their photovoltaic performance.

The University of Kent has state-of-the-art synthesis and characterisation labs including extensive diffraction and photovoltaic performance measurements instrumentation. (https://research.kent.ac.uk/functional-materials/).

The University of Lille is one of the leading centres in the world for Solid State NMR, including 800 and 900 MHz instruments (http://www.ir-rmn.fr/en/presentation/uccs-ugsf-lille)

The successful candidate will be funded in a cotutelle arrangement where the student is based at the University of Kent's main campus in Canterbury, UK as part of the Functional Materials Group, but will spend at least 12 months at the University of Lille, France.

This PhD Studentship is due to start in September 2019

Entry requirements and Funding: Applicants should have or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry, Materials or a related subject. This studentship will be offered at the standard UK Research Councils' rate (currently £14,777; to cover living costs) and will additionally cover tuition fees at the Home/EU rate (currently £4,260 per annum). This scholarship is available to both UK and EU nationals.

Webpages: https://www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/staff/profiles/academics/mark-green.html and http://uccs.univ-lille1.fr/index.php/fr/annuaire/15-fiches-personnels/171-lafon-olivier

Contact: For further information or informal enquiries, please contact Mark Green at m.green@kent.ac.uk or Olivier Lafon at olivier.lafon@univ-lille.fr.

How to Apply: To apply please go to https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/18/chemistry.

You will need to apply through the online application form on the main University website. Please note that you will be expected to provide personal details, education and employment history and supporting documentation (Curriculum Vitae, transcript of results, two academic references).

Deadline Date for Applications: 24th May 2019

Interviews: 6th June 2019