PhD Studentship in Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials: Development of novel proton – oxygen ion – electron conducting ceramics

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration:

25 September 2017 for 3 years.

Overview:

Alternative clean and renewable energy conversion devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells, can help minimise our dependence on fossil fuels and are essential to sustain our society today. However, these devices require long durability, high efficiency, and low cost materials and production in order to be able to compete with the current technology in the market.

The project aims to develop novel mixed proton – oxygen ion – electron conducting ceramics, used as electrodes. This studentship involves material synthesis (nanoscale to mesoscale; ordered and layered crystals) and characterisation using electron microscopy and diffraction (laboratory, synchrotron and neutron facilities). Electrochemical performance and atomistic modelling will be investigated to understand the atomic structure, activity and reliability relationships.

Sponsor:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EPSRC (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/)

Name of supervisor(s):

Dr Stevin S Pramana (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ceam/staff/profile/stevinpramana.html#background), School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials.

Eligibility Criteria:

You should have a first class or upper second class Honours degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, applied mathematics, physical science, materials science or a related subject. Prior experience in chemical synthesis and catalysis would be an advantage.

The award is available to UK/EU applicants only. You must have the potential for performing original research.

How to apply:

You should send a CV, covering letter plus two references direct Dr Stevin Pramana ([Email Address Removed]).

The successful applicant will then be asked to apply using the University’s online postgraduate application form (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/). Unsuccessful applications will not receive an acknowledgement.

Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:
•Insert the program code 8030F in the program of study section
•Select ‘PhD School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials - Chemical Engineering’ as the programme of study
•Insert the studentship code CE058 in the studentship/partnership reference
•Attach a covering letter and C.V. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code CE058 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.