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Swansea University

PhD Studentship in Chemical Engineering & Materials Science: Microporous Membranes for Stable and Low-Cost Iron-Sulfur Flow Batteries Swansea University in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Chemistry

Funding

Available

Deadline

Nov 16, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

Swansea University

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Keywords

Chemistry
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science
Polymer Synthesis
advanced battery materials

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About this position

[Fully funded PhD studentship: full tuition, £21,805 stipend for 2026/27, plus up to £1,000 per year for research costs.]

Swansea University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science focused on microporous membranes for stable and low-cost iron-sulfur (Fe–S) flow batteries. The project sits within the Faraday Institution PhD Training Programme and addresses a key challenge in redox flow batteries: reducing active-species crossover through improved membrane separators.

The successful candidate will investigate how the molecular structure, microporosity, and chemical functionality of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) affect ion transport, selectivity, and battery performance in Fe–S chemistries. The research will involve designing and synthesising functional PIMs with tailored sub-nanometre pores, developing solution-processable membranes, and building quantitative relationships between structure, ion transport, and electrochemical performance.

The project will be hosted by Dr Rui Tan at Swansea University. Dr Tan’s group works on functional microporous polymers, selective ion-transport membranes, and electrochemical energy storage, with a strong focus on molecularly engineered membranes for redox flow and emerging battery systems. The studentship is carried out in close collaboration with Leaf-Tech Ltd, an industrial partner supporting scale-up, manufacturing, and industrial mentorship for advanced membrane materials.

A distinctive feature of the project is an industrial placement with Leaf-Tech Ltd during the PhD, giving the student hands-on experience in polymer and membrane scale-up, manufacturing, process optimisation, and industrial R&D. This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in bridging fundamental membrane science with practical energy-storage applications and commercial translation.

The award is fully funded and includes full tuition fees, a £21,805 stipend (2026/27), and up to £1,000 per year for research costs. Applications may be submitted in Welsh or English, with Welsh applications treated no less favourably. The deadline is 16 November 2026.

Funding details

Available

What's required

Applicants should be eligible for a PhD at Swansea University and have a strong interest in polymer synthesis, membrane science, electrochemistry, and energy storage. The project would suit candidates with backgrounds in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or related disciplines. Welsh and English applications are accepted; no specific GPA, degree classification, or English language test requirement is stated in the posting.

How to apply

Apply through Swansea University's application portal using the provided scholarship link. Submit your application by 16 November 2026. Welsh-language applications are accepted and will be treated equally to English applications.

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