OpenFieldThe Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) is one of Europe’s leading applied research institutes for photovoltaics, battery technology, green hydrogen electrolysis, and renewable fuel synthesis.
With state-of-the-art facilities in Stuttgart, Ulm, and Widderstall, ZSW conducts world-class research bridging laboratory discovery to industrial pilot production. Key pillars include high-efficiency thin-film CIGS and perovskite solar cells, gigawatt-scale battery cell manufacturing processes, and PEM water electrolysis.
Graduate thesis students, PhD researchers, and postdocs enroll via partner universities including the University of Stuttgart and Ulm University. Candidates must hold a recognized Master of Science in Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, or Materials Science.
Three-year doctoral research fellowship in Stuttgart investigating atomic layer deposition, wide-bandgap perovskite top cells, and stability optimization in tandem solar devices.
Six-month paid master thesis position at the ZSW Laboratory for Battery Technology in Ulm, developing sulfide-based solid electrolytes and scalable roll-to-roll electrode coating.
Postgraduate fellowship investigating alkaline and PEM water electrolysis degradation mechanisms, flow field optimization, and direct synthetic fuel synthesis from captured CO2.
Graduate research award analyzing European grid decarbonization scenarios, renewable energy market designs, and infrastructure transition models for Baden-Württemberg.
Two-year postdoctoral appointment in Ulm utilizing operando synchrotron tomography, neutron scattering, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to monitor battery degradation.
Cooperative internship grant for engineering students participating in battery pack manufacturing optimization and fuel cell stack benchmarking alongside automotive OEMs.
Managing Director and Professor of Energy Economics · Board of Directors / Energy Economics Division
Prof. Dr. Frithjof Staiß is Managing Director of ZSW and prominent policy advisor on German and European energy transition pathways, evaluating technology adoption and decarbonization macroeconomics.
View research profile ↗Member of the Board and Head of Electrochemical Energy Technologies (Ulm) · Electrochemical Energy Technologies Division (Ulm)
Prof. Dr. Markus Hölzle heads the ZSW Ulm site, directing research into pilot-scale battery manufacturing, post-lithium battery chemistries, and high-efficiency automotive fuel cells.
View research profile ↗Head of Photovoltaics Division and Senior Scientist · Photovoltaics Division (Stuttgart)
Dr. Michael Powalla directs ZSW’s Photovoltaics Division in Stuttgart, holding world records in thin-film solar cell efficiency and industrial manufacturing yield improvements.
View research profile ↗University profile compiled from official Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) academic bulletins and institutional directories reviewed on 2026-10-16. OpenField is an independent research guide.