PhD Studentship: Developing Self-Healing Coatings for Hydrogen Storage Systems

Award summary

100% fees covered for four years and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate). An additional allowance will be provided to contribute towards consumables, equipment, and travel related to the project.

Overview

ReNU⁺ is a unique and ambitious programme that will train the next-generation of doctoral carbon champions who are renowned for research excellence and interdisciplinary systemic thinking for Net Zero. The ReNU⁺ vision is that they will become living examples of a highly skilled workforce delivering an equitable energy transition so that Net Zero is inclusive for all.

Hydrogen has emerged as a promising, clean, and versatile energy carrier, playing a key role in achieving global sustainability goals. One of the biggest challenges lies in its the safe and efficient storage, particularly due to hydrogen embrittlement – a phenomenon where hydrogen permeates storage materials, compromising their structural integrity. The research will focus on this critical issue by developing a Self-Healing, Hybrid Coating to enhance the safety and durability of steel-based hydrogen storage systems. The coating will ensure safer, more efficient hydrogen storage by preventing material degradation and failure.

The ReNU+ CDT will be running a number of online pre-application workshops to provide guidance on the application process. To sign up please fill out the registration form.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 1^st October 2025

Award duration: 4 years

Sponsor: EPSRC

Name of supervisor/s: Prof Elizabeth Gibson

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (inc. chemistry, physics, engineering).

If you do not meet these entry requirements but have evidence of equivalent skills/ expertise, please contact institution director (Prof Elizabeth Gibson) to discuss further.

Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: 

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8208F
• Leave the ‘Research Area' field blank
• Select ‘PhD Energy Materials' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section: 

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form.
• The studentship code ReNU25_5 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• When asked for a research proposal, please upload a competency assessment form instead. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• An up to date CV

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application. You are welcome to apply to other studentships at the same time, as long as you cite the relevant code on each application (e.g. ReNU25_5 for this studentship).

Contact details: Elizabeth.gibson@newcastle.ac.uk

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