Internschip | Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with Carbon Electrodes

About this position

Flexible perovskite solar cells combine high-efficiency perovskite absorbers with lightweight, bendable substrates. Their mechanical flexibility allows integration into curved surfaces, enabling applications such as wearable electronics, building-integrated photovoltaics, and portable devices, broadening the access to clean energy. These devices can be fabricated via low-temperature solution processing, making them suitable for high-throughput, cost-effective roll-to-roll manufacturing. Current innovations target enhanced device stability. One strategy is the integration of abundant, low cost carbon as the top electrode. Despite its potential for extended lifetimes and reduced environmental impact, challenges remain in achieving good contact with the perovskite layer and maintaining high cell performance.

What will be your role?

The internship focuses on optimizing charge-selective layers and integrating carbon-based electrodes in flexible perovskite solar cells with n-i-p stack. You will engage in ink formulation, thin-film deposition and characterization, device fabrication, and performance and stability testing. Your work will include:

• Optimizing charge-selective layers to minimize hysteresis and boost overall device performance. This involves selecting suitable charge-transport materials, refining dopants and additives in ink formulations, and implementing interface layers at the perovskite absorber interface.
• Developing and integrating carbon-paste formulations as top electrode in flexible perovskite cells, to achieve higher conductivity, improved stability, and enhanced efficiency.

You will join a multidisciplinary group of researchers and engineers working on emerging photovoltaic technologies at TNO. The team combines expertise in materials science, device physics, coating technologies, and reliability testing, and collaborates closely with academic and industrial partners. You will be supported by an experienced mentor and supervisor and contribute to ongoing high-impact R&D programs.

What we expect from you

• Curiosity, creativity, and a problem-solving mindset.
• Hands-on attitude and collaborative spirit.
• Ability to work independently while communicating clearly.
• Openness to feedback and enthusiasm for learning.
• A background in materials science, chemistry, physics, or related field.

What you'll get in return

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It's not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That's why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don't receive an OV-card.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow's world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

The selection process

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) after conducting a security screening. Take into account that this process may take about 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, it may take longer. Read more about security screening

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on the AIVD website.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template

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(supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
- Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:
- 1) you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
- 2) the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.
- The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
- Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.

Has this job opening sparked your interest?

Then we'd like to hear from you Please contact us for more information about the job or the selection process. To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter using the '

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