Doctoral Researcher/PhD candidate

Entry date:
as soon as possible

Application deadline:
2026-09-13

Salary:
E 13 TV-H

Duration:
3 years

Volume of employment:
part-time (75%)

The University of Marburg, founded in 1527, offers a variety of excellent programs of study for around 22,000 students and confronts the important topics of our time through excellent research across a broad spectrum of sciences.

The Department of Physics, research group on “Sustainably Scalable Perovskite Photovoltaics”, Dr. Lukas Wagner is currently accepting applications for a

The position is offered for a period of three years, if no former times of qualification must be considered. The starting date is as soon as possible. The third-party-funded position is part-time (75% of regular working hours) with salary and benefits commensurate with a public service position in the state Hesse, Germany (TV-H E 13, 75 %).

We are a dynamic research group in the midst of growth. If you are looking for room for your own ideas, value excellent infrastructure and are keen to venture into scientific new territory together, you are in exactly the right place with us. We develop sustainably scalable, highly efficient and long-term-stable perovskite solar cells. The greatest challenge of the next photovoltaics generation lies in long-term stability – and this is precisely what your doctoral project will focus on: you will develop novel high-throughput measurement methods that make it possible, for the first time, to study loss and degradation processes in operando during ageing – the missing method for predictive ageing tests. At the start you will be trained by an experienced postdoctoral researcher and will gradually take over this area.

Tasks:

• Development and automation of a time-resolved measurement system to investigate recombination and extraction mechanisms during ageing
• Contributing to the setup and automation of parallel characterisation and ageing measurement stations (MPP tracking, spatially resolved characterisation)
• Accelerated high-throughput ageing of solar cells under controlled stress conditions (temperature, illumination, atmosphere, electrical bias)
• Performing and evaluating time-dependent in-operando measurements of recombination, extraction and degradation processes
• Development of quantitative loss-analysis methods, linking them back to physical models, and evaluation of large measurement datasets to identify predictive degradation signatures
• Fabrication of perovskite solar cells, in particular with long-term-stable carbon electrodes

The position is limited to a time period deemed adequate for the completion of a doctoral degree. As part of the assigned duties, there will be ample opportunity to conduct the independent scientific research necessary for the completion of a doctorate. The limitation complies to Section 2(1) of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG).

Profile:

• MSc-degree or equivalent in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, chemistry, engineering or similar
• Sound knowledge of solid-state or semiconductor physics, or of photovoltaics research
• High motivation, strong independence and enjoyment of solving tricky problems
• Prior experience with perovskite/thin-film photovoltaics, optoelectronics or measurement technology is an advantage
• Experience in building measurement setups, in electronics/optics or in programming (e.g. Python) is desirable
• Enjoyment of interdisciplinary, collaborative teamwork; very good command of English

Disposition to own scientific qualification (e.g. a doctorate project in the area of solar cell research) is expected.

Prior experience with perovskite solar cells or measurement electronics is a clear head start, but not a requirement. What matters most to us is above all motivation, independence, team spirit and problem-solving skills. We therefore expressly encourage strong candidates to apply.

We offer:

• A doctorate in a motivated, collegial team with close personal supervision
• An excellently equipped laboratory for perovskite solar-cell research, with direct access to the instruments and short distances
• The chance to help actively build a new research group, with plenty of creative freedom in a highly topical research field
• Close collaboration with international research groups and industry partners
• Information on the many further benefits can be found here

We actively support the professional development of junior researchers by the offers of Marburg Research Academy (MARA), the International Office and the Higher Education Didactics Office.

Contact for more Information

Dr. Lukas Wagner

+49 6421-28 21352

lukas.wagner@uni-marburg.de

We support women and strongly encourage them to apply. In areas where women are underrepresented, female applicants will be preferred in case of equal qualifications. As a certified family-friendly university, we support our employees in balancing family and career. A reduction of working time is possible. Applicants with a disability as discribed in the Social Security Code (Section 2(2) and (3) of Book IX of the Social Security Code (SGB IX)) will be preferred in case of equal qualifications. Application and interview costs can not be refunded.

Please apply by 13 September 2026 using the application-button below.

Online application