Solid-state NMR of Energy Materials at University of Warwick

Supervisor: Dr. Michael A. Hope

Funding availability: UK

Start date: October 2024

Duration: 3.5 years

Deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled. Final deadline 1^st April 2024.

Project Description:

The transition to clean renewable energy requires cheaper and more efficient means of both harnessing and storing energy. This is limited by the functional properties of the materials used in devices such as solar cells and batteries. To design new materials with better performance, we must understand the structure of the material and how they work in a given application. In particular, the atomic-level structure and chemistry uniquely determine the material characteristics and how well they perform. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is ideally suited to study the local arrangement of atoms, as well as dynamic processes over a wide range of timescales.  

The goal of this fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship is to use solid-state NMR to identify the structure and behaviour of functional energy materials. A range of projects are available to study different materials, in collaboration with international experts, including 2D layered materials for electrochemical energy storage, materials for gas sensing and separation, and hybrid perovskite materials for next-generation solar cells. The specific project(s) to be studied will be chosen together with the student to best suit their interests and expertise.

The successful candidate will learn to be an expert in solid-state NMR, using the excellent facilities at the University of Warwick, including the world-leading 850 MHz, 1 GHz, and upcoming 1.2 GHz spectrometers in the UK High-Field Solid-State NMR Facility. The student will also be involved in the development of new methodologies, in particular to study materials in-situ under operational conditions. There is further scope to perform materials synthesis and exploit other methods (e.g., diffraction, electrochemistry, high-power computing etc.) depending on the project and the candidate’s interests.

The student will benefit from comprehensive training in technical scientific skills, transferable skills, and career development. They will be supported to attend national and international conferences to present their work and develop their networks. The student will be a part of an exciting, collaborative, and inclusive research environment in the Department of Chemistry and the university as a whole.  

Requirements:

Applicants should have a good degree (at least II.1 or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, natural sciences, materials science, or other relevant discipline, and should be a UK citizen or have been a resident in the UK for three or more years*.

*This is due to funding restrictions being only available to candidates eligible for home fees.

How to apply:

To make an informal enquiry or to discuss the project in more detail, please contact me by email (Michael.Hope.1@warwick.ac.uk).

The formal application can be made here: http://www.go.warwick.ac.uk/pgapply/research

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.