PhD Studentship in ‘Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing’

Research Studentship in ‘Hydrogen embrittlement testing’

3.5-year D.Phil. (PhD) studentship

Supervisor: Prof Emilio Martínez-Pañeda

Oxford’s Mechanics of Materials Lab is seeking a PhD (DPhil) student to support the ERC Starting Grant project ResistHfracture. The project aims to explore innovative high-risk/high-return ideas to develop the first generation of hydrogen-resistant alloys. The PhD student will work under the supervision of Prof. Emilio Martinez-Paneda on conducting a myriad of laboratory experiments to gain new insight into hydrogen-material interactions, these range from electrochemical to mechanical experiments, with access to state-of-the-art facilities. Project findings could have a notable impact on the deployment of a green hydrogen infrastructure, as needed to achieve net zero carbon ambitions. The student will be integrated into the Mechanics of Materials Lab and will have the opportunity to interact on a daily basis with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on similar topics.

Eligibility & Award Value

This studentship is open to both Home and International students but only covers full stipend for home (UK) students. University course fees are covered at the home student rate. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) will be c. £19,237 for the first year, and at least this amount for a further two and half years.

Candidate Requirements

Candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• A first class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent) in Engineering, Physics or Materials Science
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English
• “Hands-on” interest and experience in laboratory testing (materials characterization, mechanical testing, electrochemistry)

The following skills are also highly desirable:

• Good understanding of metallurgy and materials engineering
• Good understanding of hydrogen-material interactions or other environmentally-assisted material degradation phenomena.

Applicants with a good 2.1 degree are also encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate excellent laboratory skills through previous research or an undergraduate project.

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to:

emilio.martinez-paneda@eng.ox.ac.uk 

Candidates must submit a graduate application form (via the ‘Apply’ button above) and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.

Please quote 25ENGCL_EM in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application deadline: noon on 03 December 2024

Start date: October 2025

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