PhD studentship: Electro-catalysis of water splitting for green hydrogen production

Overview

Water Electrolysis is one of the promising routes to green hydrogen production and mid to long term storage of the intermittent renewable energy. Hydrogen and synthetic fuels are envisaged to play central roles in energy storage, renewable heat and the decarbonisation of transport as more countries pursue deep decarbonisation strategies. For the past seven years, more renewable power (260 GW) was added to the grid annually than fossil fuels and nuclear combined.

The successful candidate will join the Newcastle team and will work closely with an international team of PhD students and Postdoctoral researchers across ten world leading European institutions on the “Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolysis from Low-grade water sources” research programme.

Our vision is to harness and convert deep offshore wind and store it in the form of Hydrogen. However, there are several challenges including high materials and energy costs in purifying and desalinating sea water that restrict its use in water electrolysers for hydrogen production.

This PhD project will focus on developing new earth abundant electrocatalyst for water splitting. The PhD project is flexible and will involve significant experimental work.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2022. 

Award Duration

3 years.

Sponsor

Innovate UK through Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme

Supervisors

Professor Mohamed Mamlouk

Eligibility Criteria

We are seeking to appoint a driven, talented, self-motivated, and enthusiastic student to use their initiative to drive their own project and contribute to the goals of the project. You will be supported by team of a diverse and inclusive team of international students and researchers.

You should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Bachelor Honours degree, or international equivalent, in engineering or science e.g. Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.

This award provides fees at the Home rate. International students are welcome to apply but would be required to cover the difference between the Home and International fee rate.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’.

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:

·                    Insert the programme code 8030F in the programme of study section

·                    Select ‘PhD Chemical Engineering (full time) – Chemical Engineering ’ as the programme of study

·                    Insert the studentship code ENG096 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 ENG096 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.

You should also send your covering letter and CV to Dr Mohamed Mamlouk by email to [Email Address Removed].