Understanding fundamental mechanisms in innovative perovskite slurries for detectors, sensors, and energy generation

About this project

Harness the utility of perovskites

If you are excited about a future in advanced manufacturing and keen to develop practical innovations in nanoscience, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Future Industries Institute (FII), in partnership with entX Limited.

Perovskite materials are making significant strides in various high-tech applications due to their unique and versatile properties. In renewable energy, perovskite solar cells offer high efficiency and cost-effective production. 

In optoelectronics, perovskites are used in light-emitting devices such as LEDs, offering adjustable light output and high-efficiency luminescence. Their exceptional sensitivity and fast response make them ideal for photodetectors, sensors and imaging systems. 

Underpinning all these exciting applications is the efficiency with which charge carriers can be generated, transported and controlled in these materials. However, this exceptional optoelectronic behaviour relies on a highly precise material nanostructure that is currently created via multiple complex steps in a highly controlled laboratory environment. 

The micro- and nanopowder deposition developed for large-scale manufacturing of commercial batteries is an entirely new approach to perovskite fabrication. Thus, the nanostructure of the materials and the optoelectronic pathways remain completely unknown. 

Our project will seek to understand the unique way these pathways can be optimised within layers of densely packed powder. Our goal is to develop the new fundamental scientific innovations required to enable a new generation of perovskites with real translation potential. 

You will join FII and benefit from access to a wide range of fabrication and characterisation resources. You will have access to three laboratories and their facilities and equipment. This includes various physical vapor deposition systems (electron beam evaporation, sputtering), various liquid applied techniques (doctor blade, spin coating, dip coating, flow coating) and highly precise electrical and optical characterisation equipment, including a one-of-a-kind-in-Australia transient electrical characterisation set-up. 

You will be supervised by a diverse team with a broad range of experience and gender representation, providing robust mentoring and career development opportunities. More broadly, you will be immersed in the research programs of the Materials Engineering Group. 

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will work across three different labs, working in the fabrication and characterisation of perovskite thin films. 

We will guide you to develop and submit articles to high-impact scientific publications. There may also be opportunities to attend national and international conferences to communicate your results and start building your professional network.

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in FII. We partner with industry and the professions to deliver innovation and technological advances to solve real world challenges. With research strengths across 5 sectors that cross disciplines from biomaterials engineering to minerals processing, FII creates local and global impact. Our research degree students partner with industry and end-users to develop their skills and relevant career experience and our state-of-the-art facilities support research growth and expertise. We work with SME’s via the Institute’s Testlab and provide R&D services that support industry challenges which is part of our $80million of infrastructure that consists specialised laboratories and equipment.

For further information about FII, including our staff, partnerships, major initiatives, grant success, research engagement and more, please explore the website. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum (2025 rate) is available to eligible applicants. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 (2025 rate) per annum. A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information for domestic students or international students.
 
Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from both Domestic and International applicants. 

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. Additionally applicants must meet the project selection criteria:  

• Qualification(s) in Chemistry, Physics or Materials Science
• Experience in a laboratory setting

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide.

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday 27 November 2024.