EPSRC CDT in Engineering Hydrogen Net-Zero

Reaching global net-zero emissions targets, to tackle climate change and pollution, needs rapid growth in sustainable hydrogen technologies. This growth needs many existing challenges, including production cost, supply chain development and social requirements to be addressed.

Our fully funded EnerHy Centre for Doctoral Training program will provide you with the key skills needed for a career, whether in industry, policy, or academia, in the hydrogen economy. EnerHy will meet the challenges of a global hydrogen strategy. You will study in a supportive cohort undertaking intellectually challenging and industrially relevant projects to accelerate the affordability, scalability, and sustainability of green hydrogen.

Led by Loughborough University and partnered with Cranfield and Strathclyde universities, with over 60 industrial and civil partners, the CDT will provide a holistic understanding of the emerging hydrogen economy, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to accelerate their career.

The CDT research cuts across the challenges identified to meet net-zero, offering a range of research projects in; renewable energy, low cost and rapid uptake of hydrogen, production on demand, low-cost production at scale, new materials to facilitate the hydrogen economy, and performance monitoring and management.

The PhD Program

As part of the CDT, you will undertake a 4-year fully funded PhD program (full time) with a minimum annual stipend of £19,237 . In addition, we offer an 8-year part time program. As part of the program, we will provide a taught skills training program which will be tailored to individuals. This flexible multi-year learning will enable you to start research in your 1st year, while providing flexibility for students with other commitments. Underpinning this training is a focus on practical skills, culminating in a month-long design and build activity showcased to industrial and civic partners. By the end of the program, you will have skills that will place you in an excellent position to accelerate your career in academia, industry or policy.

The CDT welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and accommodations will be made for students with disabilities or caring commitments.

How to apply

We are advertising for graduate PhD applicants to start the program in October 2025.

We have 12- 15 fully funded projects, many partnered with industrial companies, that can be found on our website. The application process is explained in detail on our website, with application links provided for general interest in the CDT and individual projects. These links will direct you to the relevant partner university PhD submission process.

Applications are open until the 1st of January 2025 after which successful applicants will be shortlisted and contacted for interview.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in the relevant subject areas and have a genuine interest in sustainable hydrogen technologies. A master’s degree is not required for admission. Studentships are available for home and international students; however, due to UKRI funding rules, the number of available international studentships are limited. For details on eligibility see the UKRI website.

If you have any queries about the application process or the CDT program, please contact us at enerhy.cdt@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk. In correspondence, please state if you are a UK national (or have settled status)/ or an international applicant.