Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) – Cardiff University (UK)
Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) is a premier academic catalysis facility in the UK, and a leading heterogeneous catalysis institute with 45 staff scientists. CCI has generated grant income totalling > £50 M since 2008. The CCI is currently housed in a suite of laboratories within the School of Chemistry, but will move to brand-new custom-built facilities in the University’s flagship Translational Research Facility early in 2022. It has a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment for catalyst preparation, characterization and testing. For example, automated systems are available for co-precipitation, and a commercial supercritical antisolvent precipitation rig is used for catalyst preparation.
Catalysts can be characterized by ex and in situ powder XRD; in situ UV-Vis; in situ DRIFTS; several laser Raman spectrometers; many adsorption systems for surface area and porosity analysis, temperature programmed equipment for reduction, oxidation and desorption; Thermal Gravimetric Analysis; X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, solid-state NMR, FEG Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.
Additionally, the School of Chemistry has excellent NMR and MS facilities. An autoclave suite is available for catalyst testing of liquid-phase reactions and over 20 gas-phase reactors with online analysis are available. CCI has recently installed a 32-bed fully automated high-throughput reactor for gas phase screening of catalysts.
Project Description
We are looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD candidate with excellent track record and solid background in Chemistry and/or Chemical Engineering. The candidate will be in charge of the preparation of porous Janus membranes for liquid-liquid and gas-liquid separation, their characterization using cutting-edge techniques, and their testing in mono- and biphasic reactions for the valorization of biobased reagents. The candidate will work in strong synergy with a multinational and multicultural team including a group of computational chemists.
Academic criteria
Candidates should hold, or expect to gain, a Masters in Chemistry or Science in Materials Science, Heterogeneous Catalysis, Chemical Physics or Chemical Engineering.
The ability to collaborate and adapt in an international team is highly preferable and candidates must possess good communication skills in oral and written English.
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent). Learn more about our English language requirements for postgraduate students.
Supervisors
Professor Marc Pera Titus
Start date options
1st April 2022.
Application process
Applications accepted all year. We reserve the right to close this advert once sufficient applications have been received.
To apply please complete an online application via our website, stating your supervisor’s name(s).
Applications must include a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter and 2 letters of recommendation by academic referees.
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