Fully Funded PhD in Advanced Flow Batteries for Carbon Capture and Energy Storage The University of Queensland in Australia

Fully funded PhD opportunity at The University of Queensland in advanced flow batteries, carbon capture, energy storage, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, chemistry, and materials science.

The project focuses on integrating carbon capture and long-duration energy storage into a single synergetic system. The research aims to develop an innovative asymmetric zinc-CO2/bromine flow battery, using earth-abundant single-atom catalysts and operando techniques to improve efficiency, stability, and system integration. The work sits at the intersection of catalyst design, reaction engineering, electrochemical engineering, and functional materials for heterogeneous catalysis.

You will be based in the School of Chemical Engineering and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at UQ, with access to advanced facilities for material design, device fabrication, and characterisation. The project also mentions collaboration opportunities and device prototyping with local Australian companies.

Funding includes a living stipend and tuition coverage. The social post states a competitive stipend of AUD 39,220 per year (indexed), while the UQ project page lists a research project scholarship with a tax-free stipend of AUD 37,500 per annum (2026 rate), indexed annually, plus tuition fees covered and single OSHC.

Applicants should have a strong background in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Electrochemistry. Helpful experience includes catalyst synthesis, battery testing, electrochemical cells, materials science and engineering, electrochemical engineering, or heterogeneous catalysis. Selection is competitive and considers academic record, publication record, honours and awards, and employment history.

The application deadline is 2026-08-23. Applicants must submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the PhD program and do not need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. For informal enquiries, contact Dr Mu Xiao at [email protected].