Postdoctoral position at EPFL PVlab: Recycling of PV modules — EPFL
- Location
- Neuchâtel
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Today
Role overview
Your mission
The energy transition is ongoing and the deployment of silicon-based photovoltaic capacity is growing fast.
The Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab) at EPFL is looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher in Photovoltaic Recycling and Circularity to strengthen its activities in sustainable photovoltaic technologies.
- Your mission
- The energy transition is ongoing and the deployment of silicon-based photovoltaic capacity is growing fast.
- Main duties and responsibilities
- You will develop and optimize PV recycling technologies, including mechanical, thermo-mechanical, delamination and advanced separation processes for conventional and emerging PV modules.
- A PhD in photovoltaics, materials science, polymer science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, recycling technologies, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- A strong academic background in photovoltaic recycling, PV module materials, circular photovoltaics or end-of-life PV technologies.
Main responsibilities
- Main duties and responsibilities
- You will develop and optimize PV recycling technologies, including mechanical, thermo-mechanical, delamination and advanced separation processes for conventional and emerging PV modules.
- You will investigate material recovery and circularity pathways for glass, polymers, encapsulants, backsheets, silicon cells, metals and composites, including their potential for reuse, remanufacturing and high-value recycling.
- You will develop material characterization and process-evaluation methods for end-of-life PV modules, assessing recovery yield, purity, energy consumption, environmental impact, scalability and economic relevance.
- You will plan and conduct experimental research, including experimental campaigns, data analysis and process optimization, while ensuring high standards of laboratory practice, documentation, scientific integrity and safety.
- You will supervise and mentor PhD, Master’s and junior researchers, supporting research planning, experimental work, interpretation of results, scientific discussions and knowledge sharing within PV-Lab.
- You will coordinate collaborative research projects, like Work-Package Leader in a European project, including scientific activities, partners, tasks, milestones, deliverables, resources, risks, meetings, reporting and technical communication.
Key requirements
- A PhD in photovoltaics, materials science, polymer science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, recycling technologies, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- A strong academic background in photovoltaic recycling, PV module materials, circular photovoltaics or end-of-life PV technologies.
- Alternatively, a strong background in polymer or composite recycling with a clear interest in applying this expertise to photovoltaics.
- Demonstrated experience in experimental research and laboratory work.
- Good understanding of materials, interfaces and manufacturing processes relevant to PV modules.
- Experience in material characterization and quantitative analysis of experimental data.
- Ability to independently define, plan and execute research activities.
- A strong scientific publication record appropriate to the candidate's career stage.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in supervising students and junior researchers.
Application process
- You will contribute to scientific dissemination and future research development through publications in high-impact scientific journals, international conferences, collaborative research proposals and funding applications.
Contacts
- This position is an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the ongoing activities around silicon photovoltaics in Neuchâtel.
- The position will be based at EPFL PV-Lab in Neuchâtel, within an international and multidisciplinary research environment with strong links to the photovoltaic industry.
Company and context
- Strong organizational and project-management skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and international environment. We offer A dynamic and stimulating work environment
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and laboratory resources
- Opportunity to collaborate with world-class scientists through a network of national and international stakeholders
- Opportunity to work at EPFL, an internationally renowned and top-ranking engineering university, which offers a dynamic, stimulating, interdisciplinary, international and friendly working environment, a broad range of scientific training and networking events and also hosts a vibrant entrepreneurial community
- Opportunity to combine research, scientific leadership, project management and industrial collaboration within a single role. Informations Contract Start Date : 01/01/2027
- Activity Rate Min : 80.00
- Activity Rate Max : 100.00 Contract Type: CDD Duration: 1 year renouvelable Reference: 2449
Additional details
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and international environment. A dynamic and stimulating work environment
- Opportunity to combine research, scientific leadership, project management and industrial collaboration within a single role. Contract Start Date : 01/01/2027
- Activity Rate Max : 100.00 Duration: 1 year renouvelable
Notes and original content
- Your profile
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and international environment.
- A dynamic and stimulating work environment
- Opportunity to combine research, scientific leadership, project management and industrial collaboration within a single role.
- Informations
- Contract Start Date : 01/01/2027
- Activity Rate Max : 100.00
- Contract Type: CDD
- Duration: 1 year renouvelable
- Reference: 2449
Questions about this listing
What salary does EPFL offer for this role?
EPFL lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Neuchâtel. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does EPFL offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with EPFL during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Neuchâtel?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Neuchâtel can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Neuchâtel's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at EPFL?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to EPFL's original listing at careers.epfl.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
