Tewodros Zewdu Wele

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: (+251)-919-950-971 Email: tewodroszewdu77@gmail.com

November 11, 2023

Professor Jacek Jasieniak
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure)
Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Room 349, 20 Exhibition Walk., Clayton

Dear Professor Jacek Jasieniak,

I am writing to express how thrilled I am about applying for a scholarship in the Materials
Science and Engineering Department at Monash University. With a strong educational
foundation and a strong research focus, I believe Monash University provides an exceptional
environment for me to advance my knowledge and contribute to the field of materials science.
Having been born and raised in Ethiopia, I have seen firsthand how the majority of the
population lacks access to electricity, despite the country having a plethora of natural resources
that can be used to provide clean and sustainable energy for its population. In fact, according to a
census conducted in 2020, only about 45.5% of the country's population has daily access to
electrical energy. The use of these natural resources is limited, there are few lab facilities to
conduct renewable energy research, and no significant research activities taking place in
Ethiopia. Furthermore, the energy produced has not been effectively utilized due to a lack of
large-scale energy storage facilities. I plan to contribute to research in renewable energy
production and storage to provide clean, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all with
sustainable and smart energy technologies and systems. This Ph.D. position at Monash
University, would provide me with unparalleled research opportunities and experiences required
to contribute effectively to this effort.
My motivation for applying to this particular Ph.D. program is the result of a long-standing
interest in research related to renewable energy production and storage and a desire to contribute
to the development of new, innovative, and advanced materials and methods for emerging
photovoltaic technologies. In addition, I want to learn more about the design and development
of cutting-edge materials and systems for future sustainable energy applications.
For my MSc thesis, I worked on Nickel doped Zinc oxide electron transport layer for improved
performance of Organic Solar Cell (OSC). I was able to improve the power conversion
efficiency of the fabricated devices upon Nickel doping on ZnO buffer layer by smoothing ZnO
surface defects. I also conducted extensive analyses of the photoluminescence properties of thin
films in organic photovoltaics, leading to enhanced understanding and optimization of photo
current generation.
During my MSc studies, I worked as an academic and research assistant at Adama Science and
Technology University (ASTU). During this time, I developed the technical skills required to
operate some lab equipment efficiently, as well as the interpersonal and teaching skills needed to
succeed in teaching, supervision, research assistance, and other departmental duties.
I have a solid foundation in semiconductor physics, solid-state physics, and material science. My
academic curriculum provided me with a solid knowledge of the different theoretical subjects
implied in the research project. Among the subjects, I enjoyed and excelled at were materials
synthesis and characterization techniques, solid-state physics for materials, fundamentals of
semiconductors, semiconductor processing with lab, semiconductor devices, and materials
characterization techniques. I am hoping that conducting research at Monash University will
benefit me in a variety of ways, such as by providing modern research facilities and the
opportunity to work with high-profile researchers in the field. It will also introduce me to various
methods of semiconductor materials synthesis and characterization, solar cell device design,
fabrication, and characterization.
My academic background in materials science and engineering has equipped me with a solid
foundation in the principles and methodologies of this field. I have gained significant expertise in
data analysis, utilizing software such as Origin for in-depth examination and interpretation of
experimental results. These skills will enable me to effectively analyze complex datasets and
extract meaningful insights, facilitating the identification of degradation mechanisms and the
elucidation of their impact on device performance.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to discuss my
qualifications, research aspirations, and how I can contribute to the advancement of this field.

Yours Sincerely,