Plasma catalysed production of hydrogen from hydrocarbons

We are recruiting new Doctoral Researchers to our EPSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) PhD studentships starting 1 October 2024. Applications are invited for the project title Plasma catalysed production of hydrogen from hydrocarbons 

Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of approximately £21,237, including inner London weighting, plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees for a period of 42 months (3.5 years).   

 You should be eligible for home (UK) tuition fees. There are a very limited number (no more than three) of studentships available to overseas applicants, including EU nationals, who meet the academic entry criteria including English Language proficiency.   

 You will join the internationally recognised researchers in the Departments of Chemical and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Brunel University London 

 Project Details  

 The proposed project will investigate the novel technique of generating hydrogen from hydrocarbons using Plasmas Assisted Catalysis. This experimental research builds on current Brunel University London research and aims at using low temperature plasma (i.e. low energy requirement) to split hydrocarbons (both gaseous and liquids) into hydrogen and solid carbon, thereby relegating the process of CO2 emission. The products will be characterised using various techniques such as gas chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, Raman and Infrared spectroscopy. Research will involve understanding the reaction mechanism and the assessment of catalyst to increase the reaction kinetics. A batch process will first be considered, leading subsequently to a flow process, with increased hydrogen yield. 

 Further Information 

 Please contact Dr [Email Address Removed] or Professor [Email Address Removed]  for an informal discussion about this studentship.  

 Entry Criteria 

 Applicants will have or be expected to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree in an Engineering, or Physical Sciences related discipline.  A Master’s degree in a related area is an advantage but not essential.    

You should be highly motivated, able to work independently as well as in a team, collaborate with others and have good communication skills. 

How to Apply  

 There are two stages of the application: 

 1.Applicants must submit the pre-application form via the following link   

https://brunel.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/epsrc-dtp-24-25-pre-application-form-brunel-university-lon 

by 16.00 on Friday 5th April 2024.   

2.If you are shortlisted for the interview, you will be asked to email the following documentation in a single PDF file to [Email Address Removed] within 72hrs. 

•  Your up-to-date CV; 
• Your Undergraduate degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) essential;  
• Your Postgraduate Masters degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) if applicable;  
• Your valid English Language qualification of IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each section) or equivalent, if applicable; 
• Contact details for TWO referees, one of which can be an academic member of staff in the College. 

 Applicants should therefore ensure that they have all of this information in case they are shortlisted. 

 Interviews will take place in April/May 2024.