R&D Scientist/Engineer
SUNIVA

Education: 

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry.

Experience: 

Design, fabrication, and testing of crystalline silicon solar cells is desirable, but not required.

Position Description:

Suniva, Inc. was founded in August, 2007 with ties to the University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaics at Georgia Tech.

Suniva’s mission is to commercialize high efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells based on technology developed at Georgia Tech. 

The position to be filled requires an understanding of the physics of operation of silicon solar cells and a working knowledge of the technology used to produce them.  A willingness and ability to execute standard fabrication
processes, such as wafer cleaning and texturing, phosphorus and boron diffusion, thermal oxidation, silicon nitride deposition, and screen printing and firing of metal contacts, is desired. 

Also desired is a familiarity with common solar cell measurements, such as lighted and dark I?V, spectral response, reflectivity, internal quantum efficiency, ellipsometry, Suns-Voc, and photoconductivity decay, along with their interpretation to extract cell efficiency, excess carrier lifetime, surface recombination velocity, and contact properties. 

The candidate should be conversant with models, such as PC1D, which are used to design and optimize cell structures and to aid in the interpretation of measurements of cells and test
patterns.

Emphasis is on the advancement of one-sun cell performance (efficiency) using manufacturable processes developed for high throughput, high yield, and low cost.  Skills and knowledge which facilitate such advancement are sought, including a familiarity with related ongoing research world-wide, and with equipment and instrumentation used in existing manufacturing
lines. 

The ability to innovate and to apply advanced concepts, such as surface passivation by new dielectric materials and by heterojunctions, is regarded highly. 

Related experience, for example from the silicon microelectronics industry, is also valued.

The work environment is schedule oriented and schedule driven.  The ability to conceive and execute an experimental plan in a systematic fashion, to reliably acquire, document, and analyze data, and to draw logical and defensible conclusions is required for this position.

Communication skills, including writing technical reports and papers, and making oral presentations, are likewise important.  The successful candidate will be part of a technical team, with some work done in-house and some done in collaboration with outside organizations.  A significant component of the work is hands-on.

Salary:  Commensurate with prior experience and accomplishments.

Professional References:  Three required.