This project brings together the expertise of Dr Keith Butler in machine learning and materials simulations, with experimental input from Dr Joe Briscoe on ferroelectric materials for photovoltaic application. Ferroelectric PVs (FPVs) have recently shown enormous potential as an emerging PV technology – promising a low-cost, earth-abundant, and scalable solution to meeting renewable energy demands in the medium term. Discovering optimal materials compositions is critical to the success of FPV and this project will combine high-performance computing, quantum mechanics simulations and machine learning to find these best-in-class materials. These will then be developed experimentally by Dr Briscoe and his team. This project is an opportunity to contribute towards progressing green energy, while learning and applying state-of-the-art methods from machine learning, data science and computer simulations.
For this project experience in either physical science or computer science will be helpful. A first degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or equivalent is required. If you have a good background in a scientific/engineering discipline but no previous computing experience you will be trained as part of the project, if you have a background in computing but no previous chemistry/materials science experience you will also be trained.
References
- K.T. Butler et al. Machine learning for molecular and materials science Nature 559 547 2018
- K.T. Butler et al. Ferroelectric materials for solar energy conversion: photoferroics revisited Energy and Environmental Science 8 838 2015
- K.T. Butler et al. Interpretable and explainable machine learning for materials science and chemistry Accounts in Materials Research 3 597 2022
Funding
This studentship is fully funded and includes a 3 year stipend (set at £19,668 for 2022/23) and Home tuition Fees.
Eligibility
- Available to applicants with UK Home Fee Status and international applicants if willing to make up the difference in fees between home and international rates. (See: http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details of UK Home status)
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start from September 2023
Supervisor Contact Details
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Keith Butler
Apply
To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the PhD Full-time Materials Science - Semester 1 (September Start), please apply online via the following webpage: Research degrees in Materials
Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2023 QMRS KTB’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity
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