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About this position

?? Fantastic opportunity.
A fully funded PhD studentship is available for UK Nationals only at Dr Kudrynskyi's lab at the University of Nottingham.

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?? PhD Position for UK nationals – Fully Funded!
URGENT!

Join the Advanced Materials Research Group at the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom), Faculty of Engineering for a cutting-edge PhD in novel materials for Net Zero Propulsion.

?? Project Title:
Multilayer Thin-Film Ceramic Composites Based on AlN-BN for High-Performance Electrical Insulation and Hydrogen Barrier Coatings

?? About the Project:
This interdisciplinary PhD project focuses on developing innovative multilayer thin-film ceramic composites using aluminium nitride (AlN) and boron nitride (BN). These materials are vital for enabling high-voltage electronics, energy storage systems, and hydrogen technologies, particularly in environments requiring thermal stability, chemical resistance, and reliable insulation or hydrogen containment. The research will utilise reactive magnetron sputtering to engineer nanostructured multilayer films. It will explore the correlation between microstructure and functional properties, such as insulation breakdown strength, dielectric loss, and hydrogen permeability. Characterisation techniques will include:
- Conductive atomic force microscopy
- Scanning electron microscopy
- X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
- Hydrogen permeability testing

?? Supervision and Research Environment:
You will be co-supervised by a leading interdisciplinary team:
- Dr Zakhar Kudrynskyi (Advanced Materials Characterisation)
- Prof. Martin Dornheim (Hydrogen Energy Systems)
- Prof. David Grant and Dr Timothy Cooper (Thin Film Deposition)

The student will work across both the Thin Films Lab and the Hydrogen Group, gaining experience in both materials science fundamentals and energy applications. There will also be opportunities for international collaboration through Prof. Dornheim’s Leverhulme International Professorship.

?? Candidate Requirements:
? First Class or strong Upper Second Class (2:1) undergraduate or Master’s degree (UK classification) in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering
? UK nationals only

? Please apply only if you meet all of the above criteria. Ineligible applications will not be considered.

?? How to Apply:
Send your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining your research interests and relevant experience to:
[email protected]
- Subject line: YourLastName_NetZeroPhD
- Deadline: 18 September 2025

?? Start Date: 1 October 2025 or 1 February 2026
?? Eligibility: Open to UK national applicants only
?? Funding: 3.5-year studentship covering tuition and stipend for eligible candidates

# PhDPosition
# MaterialsScience
# NetZero
# HydrogenTechnology
# ThinFilms
# AtomicForceMicroscopy
# EngineeringPhD
# PhDPhysics
# PhDUK
# ResearchOpportunity

Funding details

The position is a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship for UK nationals, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend for eligible candidates.

What's required

Applicants must be UK nationals and hold a First Class or strong Upper Second Class (2:1) undergraduate or Master’s degree (UK classification) in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering. Only candidates meeting all criteria will be considered; ineligible applications will not be reviewed.

How to apply

Send your CV and a one-page cover letter outlining your research interests and relevant experience to [email protected]. Use the subject line: YourLastName_NetZeroPhD. Apply only if you meet all eligibility criteria. Deadline is 18 September 2025.

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