Research Assistant - REACH project

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

Swansea University is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated Research Assistant to contribute to the REACH-PSM (Resilient Renewable Energy Access Through Community-Driven Holistic Development in Perovskite Solar Module Manufacturing) project.

REACH‑PSM supports the development and local production of affordable, sustainable perovskite solar modules in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa. Led by Swansea University, it brings together universities, industry and communities to create manufacturing methods that are technically sound, economically viable and suited to local needs. The project focuses on triple‑mesoscopic perovskite solar cells, which can be produced at low cost using simple techniques like screen printing. It also prioritises circular‑economy principles, aiming to reduce resource use, minimise waste and improve end‑of‑life processing and material recovery.

The Research Assistant will support the development of carbon‑based perovskite solar cells, carrying out laboratory research, device fabrication, optimisation and performance testing. Working within Swansea University’s team, they will investigate materials, processes and architectures and help establish reproducible, scalable methods suitable for low‑cost, screen‑printed and locally manufacturable solar technologies. The role also contributes to wider project goals in sustainability, circularity, knowledge exchange and building manufacturing capacity. The role involves to support collaboration with academic and industrial partners in the UK and Africa, contributing to knowledge‑exchange activities and wider REACH‑PSM project objectives.

The key responsibilities are to carry out experimental research on both planar and carbon‑based perovskite solar cells with a focus on green solvents, including materials, processing and device architectures, Optimise fabrication conditions and develop lab‑scale protocols with future scale‑up in mind, Analyse how fabrication parameters affect performance, stability and reproducibility, Keep thorough lab records and prepare reports, presentations and project documentation, Contribute to meetings, workshops and collaborative work with UK and African partners, supporting knowledge‑exchange activities within REACH‑PSM.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

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