The project:

This project will complement current efforts to develop sustainable functional materials able to convert solar energy and renewable electricity into sustainable fuels and commodity chemicals. This cross-disciplinary PhD project will develop new catalytic materials focused on the capture and utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce valuable chemicals, and on the splitting of water to generate hydrogen fuel. With the support of a world-leading University, the successful candidate will design, prepare, characterise and test the performance of new materials, in line with the broader research programme of Dr Rochat at the University of Bristol (www.rochatlab.com/), which is mainly focused on the use of polymers, porous materials and composites for applications related to energy harvesting ( https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-brst4 ), hydrogen storage ( https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TA05232D ), materials engineering ( https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.4c03115 ), and stimuli-responsive materials ( https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202416095 ).

A key goal of this project is to embed sustainability in the material design to provide environmentally benign means to create fuels and chemical feedstocks with high efficiency and selectivity from CO2 or from water. Advanced materials design, physical characterisation (in particular spectroscopy, surface analysis and photo/electrochemical properties) and materials testing will be employed to optimise the catalytic materials and identify design rules, and the PhD student will receive specialist training in all aspects of materials preparation and characterisation. Furthermore, they will receive mentoring in the development of scientific communication, problem solving and project management.

Interested candidates are welcome to contact Dr Rochat ( [email protected] ) with a CV and a cover letter highlighting their motivation and qualifications for the role.

Candidate requirements:

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .

Contacts:

For questions about the research topic, please contact the project supervisor.

For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions [email protected]

How to apply:

Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss.

Online applications are made at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply . Please select Engineering Mathematics (PhD) on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of any studentship you would like to be considered for in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.