Scientific project: The aim of this experimental project is to use a pump-probe optical microscopy method1 to spatiotemporally study microscopic charge transport in nanocrystal-based optoelectronics systems. Controlling nanoscale charge carrier transport is fundamental to energy conversion applications from solar cells to LEDs. While advanced spectroscopic methods grant an understanding of excited-state dynamics in isolated materials, many fundamental questions about the microscopic nature of transport in optoelectronics devices remain underexplored. To address this area, one needs a probe of local charge transport with ultrafast and nanosecond time resolution and sub-micron spatial resolution in a material in realistic device conditions. Our approach is to do ultrafast microscopy and fabricate nanocrystal-based optoelectronics. These studies will reveal microscopic structure–property relationships that connect nanoscale carrier dynamics to macro-scale energy conversion. We study fundamental questions, but under applied material conditions. During the timeframe of the master’s internship, the student will take on one of several possible projects regarding charge transport in colloidal nanocrystal assemblies, and trying to connect this to electical measurements. The project likely involves optical spectroscopy, some instrumentation, Python simulations, some clean room, and basic chemistry lab prep. The goal is that the student continues on to do a PhD.