Dr. Christophe Ballif

Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Christophe Ballif. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Christophe Ballif is a full professor and director of the Photovoltaics Thin Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab) at the Institute of Microengineering, part of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). His laboratory focuses on high efficiency heterojunction crystalline cells, passivating contacts solar cells, and multi-junction solar cells. He has extensively contributed to the fields of photovoltaics and solar energy through technology transfer and industrialization of novel devices. Ballif graduated from EPFL with a degree in physics in 1994 and obtained his PhD in 1998, working on novel photovoltaic materials. He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States, focusing on compound semiconductor solar cells. He has held positions at Fraunhofer ISE in Germany and EMPA Thun in Switzerland, before becoming a full professor at the University of Neuchâtel in 2004. In 2013, he became the director of the CSEM Sustainable Energy Center, which specializes in the industrialization of solar energy technologies. He has authored and co-authored over 600 technical papers and patents and has received several awards for his contributions to high efficiency photovoltaics, including the Becquerel Prize in 2016 and the Global Solar Scientists Award in 2024.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

— Present

Photovoltaics Thin Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab) • Neuchâtel

Leading research in high efficiency solar cells and technology transfer.

Full Professor

— Present

University of Neuchâtel • Neuchâtel

Teaching and research in the field of photovoltaic technology.

Director

— Present

CSEM Sustainable Energy Center • Neuchâtel

Overseeing research and industrialization efforts in solar energy technology.

Awards

#

Becquerel Prize

#

Global Solar Scientists Award

#

Dr. Honoris Causa

Requirements for École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field Strong foundation in Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability Proficiency in programming (Python, Java, or C++)
Application Checklist
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of University Degree(s)
  • Official Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Copy of Passport or Identity Card
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Proof of English Proficiency
Specialization Notes

Standard requirements for Engineering and Basic Science Master's programs. Architecture requires an additional portfolio.