Multilayer Thin-Film Ceramic Composites Based on AlN-BN

A fully funded PhD studentship is available for UK nationals at the University of Nottingham, within the Advanced Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering. The project focuses on developing multilayer thin-film ceramic composites based on aluminium nitride (AlN) and boron nitride (BN) for high-performance electrical insulation and hydrogen barrier coatings, supporting Net Zero propulsion technologies. Research will involve reactive magnetron sputtering to create nanostructured multilayer films, with characterisation using conductive atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron and FTIR spectroscopy, and hydrogen permeability testing. The student will be co-supervised by Dr Zakhar Kudrynskyi (Advanced Materials Characterisation), Prof. Martin Dornheim (Hydrogen Energy Systems), Prof. David Grant, and Dr Timothy Cooper (Thin Film Deposition), working across both the Thin Films Lab and the Hydrogen Group. International collaboration opportunities are available through Prof. Dornheim’s Leverhulme International Professorship. Applicants must be UK nationals and hold a First Class or strong Upper Second Class (2:1) undergraduate or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering. The studentship covers tuition and stipend for 3.5 years. To apply, send your CV and a one-page cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line 'YourLastName_NetZeroPhD' by 18 September 2025. The start date is either 1 October 2025 or 1 February 2026.