Postdoctoral position at EPFL PVlab: Recycling of PV modules in Lausanne

Your mission

The energy transition is ongoing and the deployment of silicon-based photovoltaic capacity is growing fast.

This position is an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the ongoing activities around silicon photovoltaics in Neuchâtel.

Your mission

The energy transition is ongoing and the deployment of silicon-based photovoltaic capacity is growing fast.

This position is an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the ongoing activities around silicon photovoltaics in Neuchâtel.

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.

The successful candidate will work at the interface between scientific research, technology development, project management and industrial collaboration.

The position will focus primarily on the development and scale-up of innovative recycling approaches for photovoltaic modules and their constituent materials, with particular attention to circularity, high-value material recovery and design for recycling.

In addition to conducting research, the candidate will play an active role in the management of collaborative national and European R&D projects, supervision of students and junior researchers, and coordination of activities with the PV-Lab's industrial and academic partners.

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.

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 Ph D, 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.
• 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.

Your profile

• A Ph D 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.
• 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
• Duration: 1 year renouvelable
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