Tewodros Zewdu Wele

Application for Graduate Admission

Institute of science and technology Austria (ISTA)
Klosterneuburg, Austria

Statement of Purpose
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 thirteen months (Ethiopian
calendar) of sunshine and a plethora of natural resources. 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, and there are few lab facilities to conduct
renewable energy research. Furthermore, there are no significant research activities taking place
in Ethiopia, despite the need for such research and the availability of natural resources. I plan to
not only contribute directly to research in renewable energy but also be involved in the
management of these resources for effective use and introducing these renewable energy
technologies to the market, especially in rural areas. The Ph.D. program in Physics-Materials
science & Chemistry-Material science at Institute of science and technology Austria (ISTA)
would provide me with unparalleled graduate training and research opportunities required to
contribute effectively to this effort.
My education and research experience to date has given me a strong basis with which to pursue
graduate study. During my time as a student of Material Science and Engineering, I acquired an
interest in the synthesis and characterization of novel materials for sustainable applications. I
completed my BSc final project on Synthesis and characterization of green synthesized
magnetite/clay composite for the removal of methylene blue from waste water. This project
taught me how to synthesize materials and interpret the characterizations that are applied to
them. In addition, I have learned how to write research papers, operate different software, and,
most importantly, I was able to understand and develop the fact that research demands great
motivation, patience, courage, hard work, and excellent interpersonal communication skills. I
was inspired to become a researcher and gained knowledge in nanomaterials and chemical
processes. This served as an impetus in fueling my intellectual curiosity and led me to pursue my
MSc degree. Because I was one of the highest scorer in the department of materials science and
engineering at Adama Science and Technology University, the university granted me a full
scholarship to pursue an MSc degree.
For my MSc thesis, I focused on the Nickel doped Zinc oxide electron transport layer for
improved performance of P3HT: PC71BM based organic solar cells. I worked on the fabrication
of solar cell thin-film devices employing a spin coating and thermal deposition techniques, as
well as the structural, optical and photocurrent voltage (J-V) measurements. During this time, I
gained valuable experience in thin-film device characterization techniques such as I-V,
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, photoluminescence, and UV-vis
spectroscopy. Using nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots, I was able to improve
charge extraction efficiency by smoothing ZnO surface defects up on Nickel doping. My work
has contributed to the expansion of scientific knowledge when it comes to OSCs.
During my two years as an academic and research assistant at Adama Science and Technology
University (ASTU), I learned the technical skills required to operate some lab equipment
efficiently, as well as the interpersonal skills required to succeed in a fast-paced work
environment. For example, I worked effectively with both undergraduate and graduate students
on their courses, laboratory experiments, and final-year projects. I have strong written and
spoken English communication skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure and adapt to
new situations and challenges. I can also work independently as well as part of a
multidisciplinary team.
My interest and previous research experience have prompted me to pursue graduate school at
Institute of science and technology Austria (ISTA), where I will receive the training required to
become a top scientist in my field. As a graduate student, I will be able to strengthen my
scientific foundation through courses, develop my ability to investigate materials for renewable
energy through research and gain new perspectives through connections with my cohort and
Institute of science and technology Austria (ISTA). Notably, my research interests overlap with
those of the Physics-Materials science & Chemistry-Material science programs.
While there are many people with the same academic credentials as me, my perseverance sets me
apart. I come from a low-income family with few financial resources. Because of financial
constraints, I had to work extremely hard to gain access to higher education, excel in STEM, and
progress to postgraduate studies. Due to financial constraints, I was on the verge of dropping out
of both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. To cover my expenses while continuing my
studies, I had to work part-time jobs, and I tutored high school and university students both
during my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. I trained my mind to think outside the box
and to persevere in the face of adversity. My can-do attitude motivated me to overcome those
obstacles and get to where I am today. But this is not where I want to be. This advanced degree
program appeared to be a logical step forward in terms of career opportunities, personal
development, and social impact in that regard. The desire for a better life motivates me to be
aggressive and never stop learning. Without a doubt, I believe that this program will be an
important step toward making this dream a reality.
In summary, I always tried to make full use of the resources at my disposal to achieve my
objectives. I hope to find the best possible combination of materials design, synthesis, and device
engineering mechanisms, thereby laying the scientific foundation for the successful
implementation of new energy technologies. The Physics-Materials science & Chemistry-
Material science program at Institute of science and technology Austria (ISTA) will provide me
with a solid foundation for my Ph.D. work, allowing me to become a leader in bringing new
energy technologies to our society and continuing to contribute to the scientific community.