PhD Studentship: Design and synthesis of mixed-anions semiconductors for application in solar technologies

Overview

The growing awareness of the impact of climate changes on our lives has reinforced the need to transition to a net-zero emission economy rapidly. Solar has been regarded as one of the most popular sources to produce renewable energy and energy vectors, such as hydrogen. However, current solar technologies will not be able to scale up to the Terawatts production levels that is required for photovoltaic (PV) to fully offset carbon-based source. Nor the current industrially available solar technologies can compete on price and performance with the production of hydrogen from steam-reforming. To achieve these two targets, the next generation of solar devices must be designed, which requires the discovery of new materials with improved functionalities.

In this project you will be working as part of an inclusive and diversified team to develop new solar absorbers for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical water splitting applications.

As part of your studentship:

• you will lead the design and synthesis of mixed-anions materials 
• you will gain additional technical expertise in the experimental characterisation of materials and devices, contributing to the development of in-operando X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
• you will gain an interdisciplinary experience by collaborating with different groups within and outside Newcastle University
• you will be attending training courses for your career development, and you will participate in Equity, Inclusion and Diversity initiatives  

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2022 

Award Duration

3.5 years

Sponsor

School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics

Supervisors

Elisabetta Arca

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic excellence 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.
• Academic excellence in an appropriate subject area relevant to proposed project.
• If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)
• The award is available to home and international applicants.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system.

You will need to:

• Insert the programme code 8839F in the programme of study section
• Select ‘PhD in Physics (FT) Experimental’ as the programme of study
• Insert the studentship code MSP048 in the studentship/partnership reference field
• attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code MSP048 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
• Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Contact Details

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