This IAESTE research and development internship contributes to a university group's work on multioptical concepts for renewable energy devices. The research starts from the fabrication of chalcopyrite photovoltaic absorbers by, for example, physical vapor deposition or printing. Other layers of the solar cell structure such as transparent conductive oxides also deserve further investigation and optimization.

Towards novel optical concepts, the group investigates photonic nanostructures and micro concentrators. The fabrication of the different materials is equally important as their detailed characterization with respect to optical, electrical and thermal properties. Measurements of scattering, current-voltage characteristics and light concentration play a major role here, so a background in physical or chemical fabrication approaches or in opto-electronic characterization is highly welcome.

๐ŸŒฑ Another German placement, this one telling the story of organic farming on camera: ESC Volunteering in ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany ๐ŸŽฅ Video and Digital Media for Organic Farming ๐ŸŒฑ โ†’ https://youthworkshub.org/20752

โœ… Student Requirements

๐Ÿ”ฌ General discipline: physical sciences, physics and physical sciences

๐ŸŽ“ Completed years of study: 2, with a bachelor degree or close to a finished bachelor degree in one of the above fields

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Languages: English at excellent level, C1 or C2

๐Ÿงช Required Knowledge and Experience

๐Ÿงซ Familiar with basic principles of film materials, preferably related to energy conversion and photovoltaics

๐Ÿ’ก Knowledge in optics or nanostructures is beneficial

๐Ÿ’ป Matlab or LabVIEW skills are appreciated

โš—๏ธ Experimental experience with material deposition is welcome

๐Ÿ“‹ Work Details

โณ Duration: 8 to 12 weeks

๐Ÿ“… Within 01.09.2026 and 31.12.2026, with the latest possible start date being 01.11.2026, and the starting date is flexible and can be discussed

๐Ÿ–๏ธ The company is closed during holidays from 01.08.2026 to 31.08.2026

๐Ÿข Work environment: research and development

๐Ÿ• Working hours: 40 per week, 8 per day

๐Ÿ“Œ Internship type: on-site

๐Ÿ†” Reference number: DE-2026-1005-1

๐Ÿ’ถ Pay and Living Costs

๐Ÿ’ฐ Gross pay: 992 EUR per month, variable

๐Ÿ  Type of accommodation: other, with an estimated cost of lodging of 500 EUR per month

๐Ÿ“Š Estimated cost of living including lodging: 992 EUR per month

โš ๏ธ Based on the figures in the offer, the monthly pay matches the estimated total cost of living, so it is intended to cover expenses rather than to leave a surplus.

๐Ÿ”ฌ A comparable laboratory research placement in another country: Internship in ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Switzerland ๐Ÿงช Polymer Synthesis and Materials Research at a University of Applied Sciences ๐Ÿ”ฌ (CHF 2,100-2,500/month) โ†’ https://youthworkshub.org/20450

๐Ÿ“ฉ How to Apply

Apply through the IAESTE platform for this internship reference. Placements are advertised as continuous openings, so applying early is advisable.

โฐ Deadline

As soon as possible!

๐Ÿ”— Link

๐Ÿ“ Internship listing and application: https://iaeste.org/internships/de-2026-1005-1