Putting a (Better) Brain in the Mobile Robotic Chemist: Autonomous Laboratory Robots for CO2 Capture University of Liverpool in United Kingdom

This PhD project at the University of Liverpool, co-funded by a financial gift from Google, aims to revolutionize laboratory automation by developing a global ‘Hive Mind’ that coordinates autonomous robotic chemists. The research focuses on the discovery of engineered porous materials for atmospheric CO2 capture, addressing urgent environmental challenges through advanced computational and experimental approaches.

Hosted in the Department of Chemistry, the project integrates computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-computer interaction, and software engineering. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team led by Professors A I Cooper and K Atkinson, and Drs X Evangelopoulos and G Pizzuto, working at the intersection of chemistry, robotics, and computer science. The project leverages state-of-the-art laboratory robots and cloud-based AI systems to accelerate materials discovery, with a strong emphasis on environmental impact and sustainability.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in Chemistry, Computer Science, Materials Science, Engineering, or related fields. Experience or interest in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, or computational chemistry is highly desirable. Programming skills and laboratory experience will be advantageous. English language proficiency is required according to University of Liverpool standards.

Funding details are not specified in the current announcement. The project is supported by Google, indicating potential for high-impact research and collaboration. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Prospective students are encouraged to apply online via the University of Liverpool portal, submitting a CV, academic transcripts, and a cover letter. For further information, applicants may contact the supervisors directly.

This opportunity is ideal for students passionate about combining chemistry, AI, and robotics to address global environmental issues and advance the frontiers of autonomous scientific discovery.