Research Positions at Northwestern University

  1. Energy*Chemistry Fellows
  2. Post-Doctoral fellowship in Solid-State Optoelectronic Device Physics
  3. Post-Doctoral fellowship in Advanced Semiconductors and Devices
  4. Post-Doctoral fellowship in multi-junction perovskite solar cells
  5. Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Perovskite Solar Modules
  6. Research Associate – Lead Engineer, Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

Energy*Chemistry Fellows

Area of Research: A considerable portion of our group’s research focuses at the energy*chemistry nexus. This field is going through rapid disruption. On the one hand, electricity and industry need to decarbonize. Yet must happen while global demand for electricity rises due to data centers/AI and increased industrial electricity use.

We seek to attract innovators who will:

  • Look holistically at low-carbon electricity, but also at legacy energy, carbon, chemicals, fuels, durable goods – their abundance and their cost and their future demand and their carbon intensities – and develop a compelling, quantitatively-informed, vision of R&D priorities based on an original analysis of long-term secular trends;
  • Propose projects that may include elements of:
    • Energy-efficient and selective carbon and hydrocarbon transformations, including modular ones that are capital-efficient and can be placed at the point of resource availability;
    • System innovation, including hybrids system that can potentially combine one or more of plasma chemistry, thermochemistry, electrochemistry, biocatalysis;
    • Physicochemical modeling at the atomistic and molecular levels; at the device level (e.g. electron, ion, chemical species, flows), and at the systems level (e.g. materials and energy flows and balances; chemical engineering process simulations).

Description of Duties: Successful candidates will place their major focus on achieving original first-authored publications in interdisciplinary academic journals. They will work effectively in a team environment and will value the chance to reach across disciplines, and to work with partners in industry and at our partner U.S. Department of Energy national labs. Fellows will take advantage of the opportunity to increase their mentoring skills, helping doctoral students to develop as next-generation scientists-engineers.

Essential Qualifications:

  • Applicants must have received, or be close to receiving, their PhD degree in an area of science or engineering.
  • Applicants are sought who have backgrounds in diverse fields of engineering and science including organic chemistry, materials chemistry, plasma physics, membrane engineering and membrane science, thermochemistry and electrochemistry, mass transport, spectroscopy, batteries, thermoelectrics, chemical process science and engineering.

Salary: $61,008 USD/year

Expected Start Date: August 1, 2025, or soon thereafter

Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal

How to apply:

Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 2 referees that are prepared to be consulted; your two most relevant publications. Please send as a single combined PDF whose file name includes your first and last names to Melissa Rosen (melissa.rosen@northwestern.edu) with the subject line Energy Chemistry Fellows. Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Please note that, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to outline a vision of future trends and problems at the energy * chemistry nexus; and to propose at least one potential research project that tackles a core problem in the sector.

Posting Date: May 8, 2025

Closing Date: Jun 15, 2025

 

A sampling of relevant recent group publications:

Electrified synthesis of n-propanol using a dilute alloy catalyst

Authors: Yuanjun Chen, Xinyue Wang, Xiao-Yan Li, Rui Kai Miao, Juncai Dong, Zilin Zhao, Chuhao Liu, Jianan Erick Huang, Jinhong Wu, Senlin Chu, Weiyan Ni, Zunmin Guo, Yi Xu, Pengfei Ou, Bingjun Xu, Yang Hou, David Sinton & Edward H. Sargent
Volume/Number: Nature Catalysis, DOI: 10.1038/s41929-025-01301-0
Year: 2025

Efficient ethylene electrosynthesis through C–O cleavage promoted by water dissociation

Authors: Yongxiang Liang, Feng Li, Rui Kai Miao, Sunpei Hu, Weiyan Ni, Shuzhen Zhang, Yanjiang Liu, Yang Bai, Haoyue Wan, Pengfei Ou, Xiao-Yan Li, Ning Wang, Sungjin Park, Fengwang Li, Jie Zeng, David Sinton & Edward H. Sargent
Volume/Number: Nature Synthesis, DOI: 10.1038/s44160-024-00568-8
Year: 2024

Efficient CO and acrolein co-production via paired electrolysis

Authors: Xue Wang, Peihao Li, Jason Tam, Jane Y. Howe, Colin P. O’Brien, Armin Sedighian Rasouli, Rui Kai Miao, Yuan Liu, Adnan Ozden, Ke Xie , Jinhong Wu, David Sinton & Edward H. Sargent
Volume/Number: Nature Sustainability, DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01363-1
Year: 2024

Progress and roadmap for electro-privileged transformations of bio-derived molecules

Authors: Cong Tian, Roham Dorakhan, Joshua Wicks, Zhu Chen, Kyoung-Shin Choi, Nirala Singh, Joshua A. Schaidle, Adam Holewinski, Aleksandra Vojvodic, Dionisios G. Vlachos, Linda J. Broadbelt & Edward H. Sargent
Volume/Number: Nature Catalysis, DOI: 10.1038/s41929-024-01131-6
Year: 2024

Efficient multicarbon formation in acidic CO2 reduction via tandem electrocatalysis

Authors: Y. Chen, X. Li, Z. Chen, A. Ozden, J. E. Huang, P. Ou, J. Dong, J. Zhang, C. Tian, B. Lee, X. Wang, S. Liu, Q. Qu, S. Wang, Y. Xu, R. K. Miao, Y. Zhao, Y. Liu, C. Qiu, J. Abed, H. Liu, H. Shin, D. Wang, Y. Li, D. Sinton, E. H. Sargent
Volume/Number: Nature Nanotechnology, 10.1038/s41565-023-01543-8
Year: 2023

Selective electrochemical synthesis of urea from nitrate and CO2 via relay catalysis on hybrid catalyst

Authors: . Luo, K. Xie, P. Ou, C. Lavallais, T. Peng, Z. Chen, Z. Zhang, N. Wang, X. Li, I. Grigioni, B. Liu, D. Sinton, J. B. Dunn, E. H. Sargent
Volume/Number: Nature Catalysis, DOI:10.1038/s41929-023-01020-4
Year: 2023

Cationic-group-functionalized electrocatalysts enable stable acidic CO2 electrolysis

Authors: Mengyang Fan, Jianan Erick Huang, Rui Kai Miao, Yu Mao, Pengfei Ou, Feng Li, Xiao-Yan Li, Yufei Cao, Zishuai Zhang, Jinqiang Zhang, Yu Yan, Adnan Ozden, Weiyan Ni, Ying Wang, Yong Zhao, Zhu Chen, Behrooz Khatir, Colin P. O’Brien , Yi Xu, Yurou Celine Xiao, Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse, Kevin Golovin, Ziyun Wang, Edward H. Sargent & David Sinton
Volume/Number: Nature Catalysis/ DOI: 10.1038/s41929-023-01003-5
Year: 2023

 

Post-Doctoral fellowship in Solid-State Optoelectronic Device Physics

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team focused on emerging optoelectronic devices. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, fabrication, testing, modeling, and analysis of solar cells and photodetectors to advance understanding and optimization of these devices. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative and innovative research environment, pushing the boundaries of next-generation solid-state optoelectronics.

Responsibilities: 

  • Focus on achieving original first-authored publications in interdisciplinary academic journals.
  • Conduct device modeling and (electrical and photophysical) characterization to test the models.
  • Collaborate with device experts to analyze and tackle energy-loss mechanisms, degradation mechanisms, and improve transport properties.
  • Mentor and advise graduate students and research assistants working on related projects.
  • Contribute to grant writing and actively seek external funding opportunities to support ongoing research efforts.

Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, with strong expertise in solid-state semiconducting devices.
  • Expertise in modeling of optoelectronic devices, preferably with a specialization in solar cells and/or photodetectors.
  • Proficiency in device simulation software such as Sentaurus, Silvaco, TCAD, Setfos, and experience with device modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++, or equivalent).
  • Profound understanding of semiconductor physics and solid-state device operation principles.
  • Additional qualifications of interest:
  • Device fabrication skills and experience with at least one {colloidal quantum dots, 2D materials, perovskites, silicon, organics} or other advanced semiconductors.
  • Experience with device characterization and analytical methods, such as optical (e.g. PL, TRPL, TA, TPC) and electrical (e.g. EL, EQE, impedance spectroscopy) measurements.
  • Experience in analyzing experimental data and working collaboratively with other experimentalists.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a track record of publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, effectively managing time and prioritizing tasks.

Salary: $61,008 USD/year

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal

How to apply:

Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted using the link here. If you have any questions, please contact: (hiring.light@fastmail.com). Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled. 

Posting Date: April 15, 2025

Closing Date: May 15, 2025

 

Post-Doctoral fellowship in Advanced Semiconductors and Devices

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team focused on emerging semiconductors and microelectronics. Our research focuses on discovering new materials interface concepts relevant to future semiconductors and devices—including high-k gate dielectrics, advanced channel materials (e.g. 2D materials) and interconnects to provide high-performance energy-efficient, devices for future computing. Our approach is to unite basic and applied science to pursue these mission-oriented goals. Our team attracts and relies upon experts in chemistry (physical chemistry, surface chemistry, computational chemistry), physics (device physics and materials physics) and engineering (materials synthesis/properties/processing, electrical/device engineering), often with a significant role for AI/machine learning in seeking to accelerate discovery.

Responsibilities: 

  • Focus on achieving original first-authored publications in interdisciplinary academic journals.
  • Design and optimize synthetic routes for emerging semiconducting materials, utilizing a spectrum of synthesis techniques including solution-based methods, vapor deposition (PVD, CVD, and ALD), and relevant cleanroom techniques (E-beam lithography, photo-lithography, dry or wet etching).
  • Characterization of materials and devices made using these materials.
  • Mentor and advise graduate students and research assistants working on related projects.
  • Contribute to grant writing and actively seek external funding opportunities to support ongoing research efforts.
  • Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in materials science, electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field
  • Strong background and expertise in device fabrication and characterization techniques
    • Strong experience in transistor fabrication, including relevant cleanroom techniques (photolithography, electron beam lithography, wet or dry etching
    • Familiarity with the optimization of ALD materials deposition (experience with super-cycling or other advanced ALD techniques preferred)
    • Device and materials level characterization and analysis (including transistor IV, SEM, AFM, XPS, ALD, 2D materials, high-k materials, low-k materials)
    • Deep knowledge of solid-state semiconductors and physics
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment

Salary: $61,008 USD/year

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal

How to apply:

Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted using the link here. If you have any questions, please contact: (hiring.light@fastmail.com). Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled. 

Posting Date: April 15, 2025

Closing Date: May 15, 2025

 

Post-Doctoral fellowship in multi-junction perovskite solar cells

We are seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Fellows to join our research team in synthesizing key functional materials, developing device prototypes, and characterizing next-generation multi-junction perovskite solar cells. Our specific programs include the development of efficient and stable wide bandgap (>1.7 eV) and narrow bandgap (<1.3 eV) perovskite solar devices. The successful candidates will have a strong background in materials science, chemistry, engineering, or related fields, with experience in synthesizing and characterizing, and deploying novel materials in optoelectronic applications. Experience in all-perovskite tandem integration, including encapsulation approaches and device-level fabrication, characterization, and stability evaluation, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities:

  • Focus on achieving original first-authored publications in interdisciplinary academic journals.
  • Design and optimize synthetic routes for fabricating high-quality perovskite materials, utilizing various synthesis techniques including solution-based methods, vapor deposition, and other relevant techniques.
  • Prototype solar cell devices and conduct electrical and photophysical characterizations
  • Mentor and advise graduate students and research assistants working on related projects.
  • Contribute to grant writing and actively seek external funding opportunities to support ongoing research efforts.

Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related field
  • Strong background and expertise in materials synthesis and characterization techniques
  • Familiarity with multi-junction solar cells and relevant device physics.
  • Experience with reliability and accelerated testing
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment

Salary: $61,008 USD/year

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal

How to apply:

Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted using the link here. If you have any questions, please contact: (hiring.light@fastmail.com). Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled. 

Posting Date: April 15, 2025

Closing Date: May 15, 2025

 

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Perovskite Solar Modules

We are seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Fellows to join our research team in advancing the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar modules. Our research focuses on developing next-generation high-performance perovskite devices, with an emphasis on large-area device fabrication, material innovation, and stability enhancement. The successful candidate will have a strong background in materials science, chemistry, physics, and process engineering, with expertise in synthesizing, characterizing, and integrating novel materials into optoelectronic applications.

Candidates with experience in large-area device fabrication, charge transport engineering, interface passivation strategies, and degradation mechanisms of perovskite solar modules are encouraged to apply. Experience with encapsulation strategies, stability testing under ISOS protocols, and reliability analysis is highly desirable.

Responsibilities:

  • Focus on achieving original first-authored publications in interdisciplinary academic journals.
  • Develop high-performance and stable perovskite and charge transport materials 
  • Develop, optimize, and stabilize perovskite solar modules, including material innovation, device architecture engineering, charge transport layer optimization, and defect passivation strategies.
  • Perform electrical, optical, and photophysical characterizations to understand fundamental device physics and degradation mechanisms.
  • Mentor and supervise graduate students and research assistants involved in related projects.
  • Contribute to grant writing and actively seek external funding to support research activities.

Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field.
  • Strong expertise in materials synthesis, film processing such as slot die and blade coating, and advanced characterization techniques.
  • Experience in fabrication, optimization, and stabilization of perovskite solar modules.
  • Familiarity with stability testing, module encapsulation techniques, degradation analysis, and reliability assessment under operational conditions.
  • Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Salary: $61,008 USD/year

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal

How to apply:

Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted using the link here. If you have any questions, please contact: (hiring.light@fastmail.com). Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled. 

Posting Date: April 15, 2025

Closing Date: May 15, 2025

 

Research Associate – Lead Engineer, Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

The Sargent Group is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to serve the role of Lead Engineer, Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules in our team, focusing on the enhancement and optimization of baseline performance for single-junction and multi-junction perovskite solar cells and modules. This position emphasizes device engineering, e.g. thin film coating, process optimization, device characterization. It provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge solar energy research within a collaborative and innovative environment.

Responsibilities

  • Enhance and optimize the baseline performance of single-junction and multi-junction perovskite solar cells and modules.
  • Perform thin-film deposition using advanced preparation techniques.
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments for device fabrication and testing.
  • Collaborate with the team to develop and refine scalable fabrication processes for solar cells and modules.
  • Assist in maintaining a well-organized and efficient laboratory environment.

Qualifications

  • Master’s or PhD degree in materials science, engineering, applied physics, or a related field. 
  • Proficiency in thin-film deposition techniques, such as spin-coating, evaporation, or sputtering, slot-die coating, blade coating, etc.
  • Hands-on experience with equipment operation and maintenance.
  • Previous experience in fabricating single-junction and multi-junction perovskite solar cells and modules is highly desirable.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent teamwork and communication abilities.

Salary: $80,000 USD/year

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Appointment: Term – (12 months) with the potential for renewal

How to apply:

Please include in your application package a cover letter; your full academic CV; information on 3 referees that are prepared to be consulted using the link here. If you have any questions, please contact: (hiring.light@fastmail.com). Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until filled. 

Posting Date: April 15, 2025

Closing Date: May 15, 2025