PhD Studentship in operando spectroscopy for heterogeneous catalysis

Department: Chemical Engineering
Reports to: Dr Ryan Wang ([Email Address Removed])
Minimum Stipend: c.£16,296 + UK/EU fees
Start Date: The successful candidate is expected to start in January 2017 or anytime sooner

Studentship Description

Dr. Feng Ryan Wang’s group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at University College London (UCL) is seeking a graduate student in the area of heterogeneous catalysis with a focus on electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

In collaboration with Johnson Matthey, the UK’s leading chemical company, the student is going to develop the UK’s first operando EPR facility to study copper catalysts for the reduction of NOx, a reaction that is used by over 10 million diesel engines in the UK.

The four year research project includes the installation of the operando EPR setup, the identification of the Cu2+ active site and the understanding of the SCR mechanism. The student is expected to be well equipped with skills in materials synthesis/characterization, EPR spectroscopy, kinetic studies and reaction engineering.

The success of the project will provide fundamental understanding of SCR and help develop better catalysts with high selectivity to N2.


Key requirements

The candidate will have or be expected to obtain a first degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics or an associated discipline. The ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment that tackles questions across various fields of nanoscience is expected.

A comprehensive knowledge in physical chemistry, catalysis/reaction engineering and spectroscopy is desirable, as is previous experience in experimental research related to catalysis, materials synthesis and characterization and EPR.

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/EU citizens only.

Applications can be directly submitted via Prism: https://www.prism.ucl.ac.uk/#!/?project=202

If you have any queries regarding the vacancy, please contact Dr Ryan Wang, ([Email Address Removed]).