Vacancy information
The Department of Chemical Engineering at University College London (UCL) is seeking a student to work on an industrially linked PhD project studying materials for electrochemical hydrogen conversion (electrolysis) .
The position is funded for 3.5 years stipend, and 3 years fees for home students, at the UCL standard stipend rate.
Studentship description
A net zero world will feature hydrogen in the mix of power delivery and transport. Unfortunately ~98% of the H2 produced is ‘brown’ or ‘grey’, meaning that it is produced from fossil fuels in a way that releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Only 2% of the H2 produced is ‘green’, meaning that it is made in a way that does not result in CO2 release. Water electrolysis (i.e. splitting water to form H2 and O2) is generally considered to be the most promising route to green H2. In collaboration with Ceimig, a company with significant expertise in electrocatalysis, the successful candidate will develop catalyst structures for the oxygen evolution reaction – the rate-limiting reaction in water electrolysers for green hydrogen production, electrode engineering techniques to integrate these materials into electrolysers and in/ex-situ characterisation tools to study their performance and degradation.
This work is funded by Ceimig, a division of the Ames Goldsmith corporation focusing on the green energy & safety markets. During the PhD the successful candidate will have numerous opportunities to work closely with the company, giving them invaluable experience of industrial electrochemistry.
Duties and responsibilities include:
• To carry out experimental research in the field of water electrolyser materials and characterisation.
• To work closely with the project industrial partner, Ceimig, to develop greater understanding of electrolyser technologies.
• To collaborate with a within a large research team
• To travel and visit collaborators as necessary.
• To prepare and present research findings to colleagues for review and collaboration purposes.
• To contribute to the drafting and submission of articles to appropriate peer reviewed journals and progress reports as required.
• To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department as required.
• The successful candidate will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the post as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division.
• The successful candidate will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies.
• The successful candidate will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
Person specification
The candidate will have or be expected to obtain a degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, physics or an associated discipline. The ability to work in an interdisciplinary laboratory environment using experimental research tools is expected. Effective written and verbal communication, good time-management and the ability to work in a team are essential.
Eligibility
Please note that due to funding restrictions the post is open to UK citizens, however if a student is able to fund the difference between overseas and home fees themselves, overseas candidates may apply.
The successful applicant must hold (or soon be expecting to obtain) a 1st, 2:1 at a MSc (or equivalent) level in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline (e.g. chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, materials) and be a UK citizen (or be able to self-fund overseas fees).
The closing date for applications by email is 30th September 2022, however the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Please submit an informal application by submitting a CV and Cover Letter to EIL Centre Manager [Email Address Removed] or Dr Thomas S. Miller ([Email Address Removed]) via email.
Formal applications will also need to be made through UCL Select https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RRDCENSING01&code2=0033. Please nominate Dr. Thomas Miller on the application form, and include a statement of interest and CV.
For further information on the MPhil/PhD course as well as the recruitment and selection process, please click on the link below:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemical-engineering/study/mphilphd
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