Gizem Birant

Bio

I am a researcher in advanced photovoltaic technologies at EnergyVille and Hasselt University. My work focuses on tandem solar cells combining silicon, CIGS, and perovskite technologies to enable next-generation high-efficiency photovoltaics. As Tandem PV Transversal Line Lead, I coordinate interdisciplinary research and contribute to European initiatives advancing sustainable solar energy.

• Researcher

  Center for Solar Energy and Applications (GUNAM) - Full-time From August 2014 to March 2018

  At GUNAM (Middle East Technical University), I worked on silicon solar cells, developing nanostructured surface approaches to enhance light absorption and improve device efficiency, advancing clean, renewable solar energy technologies.

• PhD Fellow

  imec - Full-time From March 2018 to April 2022

  During my PhD at Hasselt University and imec, I worked on ultra-thin CIGS solar cells, developing advanced passivation strategies to improve device performance and support the development of efficient and sustainable photovoltaic technologies.

• PhD Fellow

  Hasselt University - Full-time From March 2018 to April 2022

  During my PhD at Hasselt University and imec, I worked on ultra-thin CIGS solar cells, developing advanced passivation strategies to improve device performance and support the development of efficient and sustainable photovoltaic technologies.

• Postdoctoral Fellow

  FWO - Research Foundation Flanders - Full-time From October 2022 to March 2026

  As an FWO Postdoctoral Fellow at Hasselt University and EnergyVille, I secured and led my own fellowship-funded research project on tandem solar cells, investigating recombination layers in CIGS/perovskite and silicon/perovskite architectures for next-generation renewable energy technologies.

• Tandem PV Transversal Line Lead

  Hasselt University - IUMAT PV Tech Group - Full-time From May 2025 to Present

  At EnergyVille and Hasselt University, I lead and coordinate interdisciplinary research on tandem solar cells as Tandem PV Transversal Line Lead. My work focuses on developing next-generation photovoltaic technologies combining silicon, CIGS, and perovskite materials to enable more efficient and sustainable solar energy solutions.

• PhD in Engineering Technology

  Hasselt University From March 2018 to April 2022
• MSc in Physics

  Middle East Technical University From August 2014 to January 2017
• BS in Physics Education

  Middle East Technical University From September 2008 to August 2014

• Turkish
• English
• Dutch

Links