Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are nanometer-sized crystallites of a semiconductor. For crystal sizes comparable to or smaller than the exciton Bohr radius, the mean distance between a photo-excited electron and hole, size quantization makes the opto-electronic properties of such crystallites size- and shape dependent. Over the last 15 years, QDs have found application as a printed semiconductor for lighting, display, sensing or solar energy conversion. Within this project, we will work on the synthesis of new classes of QDs - mostly changing material composition and crystal dimensions, and the understanding of the relation between the atomistic structure of QDs and their opto-electronic properties. This work will create a fruitful research domain, to which researchers at all levels - master students, PhD and postdoctoral researchers - can contribute, and where new fundamental insights can be directly used to further improve opto-electronic devices based on QDs.