PhD Studentship: Energy Storage and Carbon Dioxide Capture

Applications are invited for two 3.5-year PhD studentships based in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, supervised by Dr Alexander Forse. The first project will develop improved electrochemical energy storage devices known as supercapacitors, and the second project will develop new low-cost materials for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Research in the Forse group centres around the development of new materials for climate change mitigation. In the first available project, we will develop improved electrodes for supercapacitor energy storage devices. Building on recent work from the group that discovered the role of disorder in enhancing energy storage, we will target highly disordered electrode materials to enhance capacitance. In the second project, we will develop new low-cost materials based on activated charcoal that can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Activated charcoal materials will be modified to improve their carbon capture properties, and the mechanisms of carbon capture will be studied in situ with spectroscopy. Both projects will involve preparing/synthesising new materials, electrochemistry experiments, gas adsorption experiments, and mechanistic work using in situ NMR spectroscopy. The successful applicants will benefit from access to state-of-the-art gas adsorption instruments, potentiostats, two NMR spectrometers, and wet-lab space, as required for this project. 

Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a UK upper second-class Masters degree in a relevant subject such as chemistry. Practical experience of materials chemistry, or electrochemistry, or solid-state NMR spectroscopy would be beneficial, but is in no way essential. 

The studentships provide a maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate and tuition fees at the UK/home rate. Overseas students can be considered if they can cover the difference in the cost of overseas fees. Full details of the University's entrance requirements and scholarships are specified on the following link: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk.

To apply, please submit an application through the University Applicant Portal via the above 'Apply' button, for the course "PhD in Chemistry", naming Dr Alexander Forse as potential supervisor. 

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Dr Forse via email on acf50@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference MA43845 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society, especiallty from BAME applicants, women, applicants with diverse gender identities, and other underrepresented groups.  We encourage a good work-life balance, and accommodate flexible working arrangements.

Closing date: 03 December 2024

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