Process Engineer – Research & Development
“From Materials Science to Industrial Process Development”
I connect thin-film technology, microstructure analysis and data-driven process optimisation – from the Max Planck Institute lab to scalable application.
Düsseldorf, Germany
5+
years of research at the Max Planck Institute
3
languages: DE · EN · AR
15+
characterisation techniques
1st
place CTCN Climate Innovation Award
Professional Profile
Materials engineer with a PhD in Materials Engineering from RWTH Aachen and research at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (formerly Max Planck Institute for Iron Research) in Düsseldorf. My focus is on fabricating and characterising thin films and on how process parameters define microstructure and, with it, material properties.
RWTH Aachen – research at the Max Planck Institute, Düsseldorf
Sustainable absorber material made from earth-abundant elements for photovoltaics
Parameter analysis and optimisation for DC/RF sputtering (PVD)
EBSD, ECCI, XRD, CL, FIB, APT – correlative characterisation
Analytical, systematic and data-driven
Project 1 · PhD Research
A Study on the Microstructure Formation Mechanisms and Functional Properties of new β-FeSi₂-based Polycrystalline Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications Using Correlative Electron Microscopy
β-FeSi₂ thin films (~800 nm) were produced by controlled DC sputtering on stainless steel (304SS), Si (100) and sapphire Al₂O₃ (0001), to reach the best morphology, texture and spatial phase distribution.
A series of DC-PVD experiments on how combined sputtering parameters – and factors beyond them – drive morphology, texture formation, phase transformation and β-phase stability, including nucleation- vs. growth-controlled mechanisms.
EBSD, XRD and EDS to monitor β-FeSi₂ formation; 2D EBSD maps on cross-sections and plan views for microstructure, phase distribution and texture; confocal laser microscopy for roughness.
Classical Hough-transform indexing failed on complex tetragonal/orthorhombic phases, nano-sized grains and high defect density – so spherical indexing (SI) was used to identify the phases accurately.
90% ± 10%
β-phase fraction on 304SS
45 ± 25 nm
uniform grain size
Ra = 32 nm
moderately smooth surface
(001)/(010)
sharp texture, shown for the first time
Optimal conditions: 1 h deposition · 12.12 nm/min · 500 °C substrate · 1 Pa – a continuous, high-quality film with good adhesion to 304SS.
| Substrate | Highest β-phase fraction | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| 304SS | 90% ± 10% (1 h, 1 Pa, 500 °C) | weakest; (010) poles strongest |
| Si (100) | at 1 h, 0.5 Pa, 500 °C | strongest; (010) poles strongest |
| Al₂O₃ (0001) | 98% ± 2% | (001) peak strongest |
S1 · Thickness
Time varied → optimal 66 min, 12.12 nm/min
S2 · Phase distribution
Temperature varied → optimal 500 °C
S3 · Phase dominance
Pressure varied → optimal 1 Pa
S4 · Texture
Substrate type varied at a fixed process
Methods & Materials
2D maps on cross-sections and plan views; spherical indexing for complex phases.
Elemental composition and phase identification of β-FeSi₂ formation.
Plan views and cross-sections of the films, thickness and morphology.
Projects
M.Sc. with distinction (2018–2020): MSM photodetector (Au/Pt Schottky electrodes on Si), MgF₂/TiO₂ anti-reflection coatings on GaAs (COMSOL) and sol-gel nanostructures (ZnO, Ag nanorods).
Mask aligner · sputtering · Keithley 4200A · COMSOL · SEM · UV-VIS
Modeling and Characterization of the Conversion Efficiency Enhancement of Perovskite Solar Cells that Employ Upconversion Crystals for the Solar Spectrum. UC crystals turn 976 nm light into visible light, so the cell harvests more of the solar spectrum.
~50%
more Jsc at maximum laser power
29.17 mA/cm²
Jsc with 50 cm lens (18.99 without)
+8.3%
Jsc gain predicted by the model
Best of 12 crystals: BaF₂ : 15% Yb³⁺, 2% Er³⁺ · FAPbI₃ cells · laser and LED setups
One model links light absorption, charge transport and heat in an ITO / ZnO / MAPbI₃ / Spiro-OMeTAD / Au stack over 24 h (1D → 2D → 3D): optics → G(x), drift-diffusion with recombination → J-V, heat transfer → T(x,t).
Wave Optics · Semiconductor · Heat Transfer · reference results after Makableh et al., Solar Energy 202 (2020)
Relevance to the Role
I understand how deposition and process parameters shape material properties.
Hands-on experience of how temperature drives microstructure and phase evolution.
Systematic design of experiments and structured analysis of large measurement data sets.
Troubleshooting based on data and evidence rather than assumptions.
Industrial furnace and heat-treatment processes: I want to transfer my knowledge of temperature-dependent phase formation to industrial scale and keep growing in this area.
Experience
Max Planck Institute for Iron Research (MPIE) GmbH · Düsseldorf
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) · Karlsruhe
Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) · Amman
LMU Munich & TUM Open Research Lab · Munich
Power Guide for Energy Systems · Amman
2020 – 2025
PhD in Materials Engineering (Dr.-Ing.)
RWTH Aachen (research at MPIE Düsseldorf)
2018 – 2020
M.Sc. Nanoengineering & Nanoscience – with distinction
KIT Karlsruhe & JUST
2011 – 2015
B.Sc. Electrical Power Engineering
Al-Balqa’ Applied University
Materials & processes
Characterisation
Simulation & programming
Energy & photovoltaics
Selected Activities
MSE 2022 · Formation and characterization of β-FeSi₂ thin films for solar cell applications
Presenting complex results clearly, working across research and industry, and coordinating international teams.
2025
CTCN MENA Youth Climate Innovation Award – 1st place
2022
CTCN MENA Youth Climate Innovation Academy Award – 1st place
2018
LMU Munich International Award – 1st place finalist
2018
TUM Open Lab Research Award
FAQ
A materials engineer with a PhD in Materials Engineering from RWTH Aachen and an R&D process engineer based in Düsseldorf. She researched β-FeSi₂ thin films for photovoltaics at the Max Planck Institute.
Thin-film deposition (DC/RF sputtering, PVD) and characterisation with EBSD, XRD, SEM, ECCI, cathodoluminescence, FIB and atom probe tomography; simulation in COMSOL, MATLAB and Python.
Process engineer, R&D engineer and materials scientist roles in industry and applied research – especially coatings, heat treatment, semiconductors and photovoltaics.
German (C1), English (C1) and Arabic (native).
Contact
Open to roles in process development and research & development. I look forward to hearing from you.
German C1 · English C1 · Arabic native
