The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU)is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training. The start date is 1st October 2022.
By 2050, the UK government is required to reduce the country's net emissions of greenhouse gases by 100% relative to 1990 levels. Hydrogen offers a path to a carbon-neutral or even a carbon-free society in both the short and long term. The net-zero targets and policy incentives encourage investment in green hydrogen production, especially in the research and development of water electrolysis methods integrated with renewable solar energy.
The electrolyser's cost and durability remain the significant barriers to commercialization. Easily replaceable standardized modular proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolyser, with a smaller scale, allows the system to be flexible, robust, and universally applicable. It provides a feasible solution for cost reduction and prolongs the electrolyser lifetime even when powered by intermittent solar energy. This project aims to develop an optimized modular and eco-friendly PEM electrolyser with higher energy efficiency and a longer lifetime. The electrolyser modules are integrated with solar photovoltaic for accelerating worldwide carbon-saving.
The candidate will investigate and develop a novel recyclable material for membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with advanced physical and electrochemical characterisation tools. This project will need molecular/electronic/systematic modelling to investigate the mechanism of the water-splitting reactions, their relationship with the cell components, degradation mechanisms, and raise performance level. An experimental study of a small lab-scale prototype will be conducted for validating the module's heat and mass transfer behaviour, stability, and durability. Potential benefits for solar-powered electrolysis, like cost reduction, enhance durability, and environmental impact will be evaluated through techno-economic-environmental study.
The successful candidate will be working in a multidisciplinary environment, including material science, heat transfer, modelling, and system integration evaluation. We are looking for a passionate candidate with a mechanical/design/chemical engineering background, self-motivated and self-directed with teamwork spirit and communication skills.
This project is supervised by Dr Lu Xing. For informal queries, please contact [Email Address Removed].
The application closing date is 6 June 2022. Please note that interviews, should they be arranged, will be online rather than in person due to COVID-19.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
· Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
· Appropriate IELTS score, if required. You can apply without proof of English Language proficiency however it is preferable that candidates have met the English Language requirements by the application deadline date.
· Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere or if they have previously been awarded a PhD.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note that applications must include all of the following to be considered:
- A research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), and include the advert reference (e.g. ReNU22-R/…).
- You must upload with your application at least 2 reference letters
- You must read our privacy notice about how we use your data and acknowledge this by including in your personal statement the following phrase : ‘ I confirm I have read and agreed to the privacy policy in https://renu.northumbria.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-ReNUPrivacyNotice_01_03_21.pdf‘.
Deadline for applications: 6 June 2022
Start Date: 1 October 2022
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff and students. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
Funding Notes
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International (including EU) students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2022/23 full-time study this is £16,602 per year) and full tuition fees. Also significant additional funding to cover research costs and local, national and international travel (conferences and exchanges).
Applicants should be aware of the following additional costs that you may incur as these are not covered by the studentship.
· Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
· If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to the information on https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.
· Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
· Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the CDT. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.
Note that 1 offer of a PhD place will be made for the ReNU CDT projects with the reference number 'ReNU22-R/…' advertised by Northumbria University.
* please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. Further information about how EPSRC classifies international fee status please see Annex B of https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/UKRI-170821-TrainingGrantTermsConditionsGuidance-Aug2021.pdf
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